I can remember in early elementary school when the Russians launched the first satellite. There was still so much unknown about space. People thought Mars was probably populated.

My job in space will be to observe and write a journal. I am also going to be teaching a class for students on earth about life in space and on the space shuttle and conducting experiments.

Just as the pioneer travelers of the Conestoga wagon days kept personal journals, I, as a pioneer space traveler, would do the same.

If anything happened, I think my husband would have to deal with that as the time came.

It's not the Olympics. It's Concord, New Hampshire, and a homecoming should reflect the community I'm part of.

I have the LIFE magazine of the men walking on the moon.

Space is going to be commonplace.