." From my earliest childhood years, trip had constantly astounded me. I survived in the boonies and the fields, so I didn't possess neighbors to go and have fun with. If I had not been functioning, I was actually delegated my personal units, and also often, I would certainly merely be mesmerized by the animals and also particularly, the birds of prey that I will find." To me, they embodied a freedom of some kind or one more. These birds as well as the view they possess-- they can enjoy a lot. Therefore, from that factor on, I knew I wanted to be actually involved in tour and also aeronautics." I [delighted in] all points flight, all things spaceflight. I could not acquire good enough of it. I became an enthusiastic reader, whereas before, I had not been much of a reader. I could not receive sufficient material to review my heroes from air travel as well as room. They became my good example as well as the path that they took included, at some time or another, a pretty extensive education and also dedication to doing properly academically, actually, or athletically. Therefore, I threw on my own right into that entire form of way of thinking." When I was working for the Air Force, I had the capacity to soar and work with airplane that I would certainly hope about, taking a look at in the magazines Aviation Full week and also Room Technology. Listed below they are actually, ideal in front of me." ... Therefore, my occupation has actually been as close as possible to that of a flight exam developer. And afterwards, precisely the heels of being astounded through atmospheric trip, functioning in human spaceflight has actually placed me over the Moon.".-- Doctor Donald Mendoza, Chief Engineer, NASA Design & Safety Center, NASA's Ames Research Center.Image Debt: NASA/Dominic HartInterviewer: NASA/Thalia Patrinos.Look into some of our other Images of NASA.