The stars don't look bigger, but they do look brighter.

Yes, I did feel a special responsibility to be the first American woman in space.

The rockets light! The shuttle leaps off the launch pad in a cloud of steam and a trail of fire.

I didn't really decide that I wanted to be an astronaut for sure until the end of college.

The view of Earth is spectacular.

I think it's important for little girls growing up, and young women, to have one in every walk of life. So from that point of view, I'm proud to be a role model!

The most anxious time was during launch, just because that is so dramatic.