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

Eventually private enterprise will be able to send people into orbit, but I suspect initially it's going to have to be with NASA's help. Whether it's going to be a consortium or one entity remains to be seen. I could be wrong. I could be one of the old fogies! Rocket science is tough, and rockets have a way of failing. It happens. A company has to be willing to bear the risk of its rocket failing. It's a very large capital investment.

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

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.

So I decided on science when I was in college.

I felt very honored, and I knew that people would be watching very closely, and I felt it was very, very important that I do a good job.

I think maybe it's too bad that our society isn't further along and this is such a big deal. I think it's time...that people realize that women in this country can do any job they want to do.