I can't remember a single time [my parents] ever told me not to do something I wanted to do.

It's too bad our society isn't further along.

My background is in physics, so I was the mission specialist, who is sort of like the flight engineer on an airplane.

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.

I've spent my whole life not talking to people, and I don't see why I should start now.

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

Three Secrets to Success: Be willing to learn new things. Be able to assimilate new information quickly. Be able to get along with and work with other people.