The rockets light! The shuttle leaps off the launch pad in a cloud of steam and a trail of fire.

I slept just floating in the middle of the flight deck, the upper deck of the space shuttle.

I suggest taking the high road and have a little sence of humour and let things roll off your back. I think that's very important.

Different astronauts sleep in different ways.

I liked math - that was my favorite subject - and I was very interested in astronomy and in physical science.

When you can feel that close to something you're used to seeing from this great distance, well, it changes a person.

The pressure suit helps if something goes wrong during launch or re-entry - astronauts have a way to parachute off the shuttle. The suits protect you from loss of pressure in case of emergency.