." Coming from my earliest childhood, trip had actually consistently astounded me. I survived in the boonies as well as the fields, so I didn't have next-door neighbors to go and also play with. If I wasn't working, I was left to my very own tools, as well as frequently, I would just be mesmerized due to the wildlife and specifically, the raptorial birds that I will view." To me, they embodied a liberty of some kind or another. These birds as well as the perspective they possess-- they may absorb so much. So, coming from that factor on, I knew I intended to be actually associated with air travel and air travel." I [enjoyed] all traits flight, all factors spaceflight. I couldn't obtain good enough of it. I ended up being a devoted reader, whereas in the past, I wasn't much of a reader. I could not obtain sufficient component to review my heroes coming from air travel as well as room. They became my shining example as well as the path that they took involved, at some time or yet another, a quite strenuous learning and dedication to accomplish well academically, literally, or even athletically. Thus, I threw on my own right into that whole entire form of way of thinking." When I was working for the Flying force, I had the capacity to fly as well as work with airplane that I would certainly dream approximately, examining in the journals Aeronautics Full week as well as Space Technology. Listed here they are actually, best facing me." ... Thus, my occupation has actually been actually as close as feasible to that of an air travel exam designer. And afterwards, exactly on the heels of being actually astounded through atmospherical trip, working in individual spaceflight has set me over the Moon.".-- Dr. Donald Mendoza, Principal Designer, NASA Design & Safety Center, NASA's Ames .Graphic Credit History: NASA/Dominic HartInterviewer: NASA/Thalia Patrinos.Take a look at some of our other Images of NASA.