I've spent my whole life not talking to people, and I don't see why I should start now.

For a long time, society put obstacles in the way of women who wanted to enter the sciences.

When you can feel that close to something you're used to seeing from this great distance, well, it changes a person.

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

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

My background is in physics, so I was the mission specialist, who is sort of like the flight engineer on an airplane.

I would like to be remembered as someone who was not afraid to do what she wanted to do, and as someone who took risks along the way in order to achieve her goals.