It's no secret that I've been reluctant to use my name for things.

No, I think most astronauts recognize that the space shuttle program is very high-risk, and are prepared for accidents.

I don't have any nicknames.

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.

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

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

Astronauts will remain the explorers, the pioneers-the first to go back to moon and on to Mars. But I think it's really important to make space space available to as many people as we can. It's going to be a while before we can launch people for less than $20 million a ticket. But that day is coming.