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

On both of my flights, everything went very well.

You know, I go around the country a lot.

I liked math - that was my favorite subject - and I was very interested in astronomy and in physical science.

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

I love the John Glenn model... I may call NASA in 25 years or so, and see if they'd like to send me to Mars.

So most astronauts are astronauts for a couple of years before they are assigned to a flight.