I never went into physics or the astronaut corps to become a role model. But after my first flight, it became clear to me that I was one. And I began to understand the importance of that to people. Young girls need to see role models in whatever careers they may choose, just so they can picture themselves doing those jobs someday. You can't be what you can't see.

For quite some time, women at NASA only had scientific backgrounds.

It's easy to sleep floating around - it's very comfortable. But you have to be careful that you don't float into somebody or something!

The space shuttle is a better and safer rocket than it was before the Challenger accident.

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

If we want scientists and engineers in the future, we should be cultivating the girls as much as the boys.

I've discovered that half the people would love to go into space and there's no need to explain it to them. The other half can't understand and I couldn't explain it to them. If someone doesn't know why, I can't explain it.