My parents must have done a great job. Anytime I wanted to pursue something that they weren't familiar with, that was not part of their lifestyle, they let me go ahead and do it.

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

I think 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.

So most astronauts getting ready to lift off are excited and very anxious and worried about that explosion - because if something goes wrong in the first seconds of launch, there's not very much you can do.

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

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

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.