On a standard space shuttle crew, two of the astronauts have a test pilot background - the commander and the pilot.
Yes, I did feel a special responsibility to be the first American woman in space.
But even in elementary school and junior high, I was very interested in space and in the space program.
You know, I go around the country a lot.
That's something that is almost part of being human and I'm certain that will continue.
The experience of being in space didn't change my perspective of myself or of the planet or of life. I had no spiritual experience.