." Coming from my earliest childhood years, trip had actually consistently astounded me. I lived out in the boonies as well as the farmlands, so I didn't possess neighbors to go and also have fun with. If I had not been functioning, I was entrusted to my personal gadgets, and often, I will merely be actually captivated due to the wild animals and especially, the raptorial birds that I would certainly see." To me, they exemplified a flexibility of some kind or yet another. These birds and also the viewpoint they have-- they can easily take in so much. Therefore, from that point on, I recognized I would like to be actually associated with air travel as well as air travel." I [appreciated] all traits air travel, all points spaceflight. I couldn't acquire enough of it. I came to be a devoted reader, whereas before, I wasn't much of a viewers. I couldn't receive sufficient material to read about my heroes from trip and also room. They became my shining example and also the path that they took included, at some point or even an additional, a pretty thorough learning and also devotion to accomplish effectively academically, literally, or athletically. So, I threw myself in to that whole entire type of state of mind." When I was actually working with the Flying force, I managed to soar as well as deal with airplane that I will hope approximately, checking out in the magazines Aviation Full week and also Room Innovation. Listed here they are, correct facing me." ... Therefore, my career has actually been actually as close as feasible to that of a tour exam developer. And after that, directly on the heels of being actually mesmerized through atmospheric trip, functioning in individual spaceflight has placed me over the Moon.".-- Physician Donald Mendoza, Main Developer, NASA Design & Protection Center, NASA's Ames .Image Credit Scores: NASA/Dominic HartInterviewer: NASA/Thalia Patrinos.Check out some of our various other Faces of NASA.