In any new situation, whether it involves an elevator or a rocket ship, you will almost certainly be viewed in one of three ways. As a minus one: actively harmful, someone who creates problems. Or as a zero: your impact is neutral and doesn't tip the balance one way or the other. Or you'll be seen as a plus one: someone who actively adds value. Everyone wants to be a plus one, of course. But proclaiming your plus-oneness at the outset almost guarantees you'll be perceived as a minus one, regardless of the skills you bring to the table or how you actually perform.

I've been lucky enough to fly to space twice.

My favourite city is Moscow, because of its history, which I find fascinating. As I learned to speak Russian, it made it even more interesting.

As I have discovered again and again, things are never as bad (or as good) as they seem at the time.

From space, the Bahamas is the most beautiful place on Earth.

I wasn’t destined to be an astronaut. I had to turn myself into one.

There is no problem so bad that you cannot make it worse