." From my earliest youth, trip had actually consistently astounded me. I lived out in the boonies and also the farmlands, so I didn't have next-door neighbors to go as well as play with. If I wasn't functioning, I was delegated my personal devices, and frequently, I would only be actually captivated by the wildlife and also especially, the beast of preys that I will find." To me, they stood for a freedom of some kind or even yet another. These birds as well as the scenery they possess-- they may take in so much. So, coming from that aspect on, I understood I would like to be actually involved in tour as well as aeronautics." I [appreciated] all things air travel, all traits spaceflight. I couldn't get sufficient of it. I became an enthusiastic audience, whereas before, I wasn't much of a viewers. I could not receive sufficient material to check out my heroes from air travel and room. They became my shining example as well as the pathway that they took included, at some point or another, a pretty strenuous education and also devotion to carry out well academically, literally, or athletically. So, I threw myself in to that entire type of mindset." When I was actually working for the Flying force, I managed to fly and also deal with plane that I would certainly fantasize about, taking a look at in the magazines Aviation Full week and also Area Innovation. Below they are, correct facing me." ... Therefore, my job has been actually as close as feasible to that of a tour test developer. And then, precisely the heels of being mesmerized through atmospheric air travel, operating in individual spaceflight has actually put me over the Moon.".-- Dr. Donald Mendoza, Main Engineer, NASA Engineering & Safety And Security Center, NASA's Ames Research Center.Picture Debt: NASA/Dominic HartInterviewer: NASA/Thalia Patrinos.Visit some of our other Images of NASA.