I have a lot of common sense. I know what needs to be done and how to approach it. I have an ability to work with people on large enterprises.

When the space shuttle's engines cut off, and you're finally in space, in orbit, weightless... I remember unstrapping from my seat, floating over to the window, and that's when I got my first view of Earth. Just a spectacular view, and a chance to see our planet as a planet.

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.

The fact that I was going to be the first American woman to go into space carried huge expectations along with it.

I haven't written my memoirs or let the television movie be made about my life.

One thing I probably share with everyone else in the astronaut office is composure.

The food isn't too bad. It's very different from the food that the astronauts ate in the very early days of the space program.