The opportunities to become an astronaut in Canada were far and few.

I think it's the entire privilege I had to represent my country. It's not the going to space alone; it's to be part of that endeavour and to contribute a very small part to a very important step toward pushing the frontier.

When you're a little different than others, it takes a little more time to fit in. If you really want to be there, there are no ingredients you need other than effort, perseverance and teamwork.

I'm 45, and I'm still at school, essentially. Even after being assigned to the mission, I had to write a number of exams, with people commenting on my performance.

I am definitely a little more nervous for my colleagues when I'm working at mission control than I am myself, on the shuttle.

Most people here don't have a wide emotional range. It's just the type of people astronauts are, they're required to be level.

On the day a country decides not to invest a cent in innovation, discovery or exploration, that country decides to be a tributary to others.