." Coming from my earliest childhood, tour had always mesmerized me. I survived in the boonies and also the farmlands, so I failed to possess neighbors to go and have fun with. If I had not been functioning, I was actually delegated my very own gadgets, as well as often, I would certainly only be mesmerized due to the wild animals and especially, the raptorial birds that I would see." To me, they stood for a freedom of some kind or another. These birds and also the scenery they possess-- they can easily consume so much. So, coming from that point on, I knew I intended to be actually involved in flight and flying." I [taken pleasure in] all traits air travel, all things spaceflight. I could not receive sufficient of it. I ended up being an avid visitor, whereas before, I wasn't much of a reader. I couldn't receive enough material to check out my heroes from flight and also area. They became my shining example as well as the pathway that they took included, at some time or even one more, a fairly extensive education and also commitment to perform effectively academically, actually, or athletically. Thus, I tossed myself into that whole entire type of attitude." When I was working for the Flying force, I had the ability to fly as well as service airplane that I would certainly fantasize about, taking a look at in the publications Air travel Full week and Area Innovation. Right here they are, appropriate in front of me." ... Therefore, my job has been as close as achievable to that of a trip test developer. And then, right on the heels of being astounded by climatic trip, operating in individual spaceflight has placed me over the Moon.".-- Doctor Donald Mendoza, Chief Designer, NASA Design & Protection Facility, NASA's Ames Research Center.Photo Credit Report: NASA/Dominic HartInterviewer: NASA/Thalia Patrinos.Take a look at several of our other Images of NASA.