." Coming from my earliest childhood years, flight had regularly spellbinded me. I survived in the boonies as well as the fields, so I really did not possess next-door neighbors to go as well as have fun with. If I had not been functioning, I was delegated my personal gadgets, as well as often, I would certainly only be actually spellbinded by the wild animals and also in particular, the predators that I would see." To me, they stood for an independence of some kind or yet another. These birds and also the sight they possess-- they can easily absorb so much. Therefore, from that point on, I knew I intended to be involved in air travel and also air travel." I [enjoyed] all points air travel, all things spaceflight. I could not get good enough of it. I became an avid viewers, whereas before, I had not been much of a reader. I could not obtain enough product to review my heroes coming from flight as well as room. They became my good example and the course that they took involved, eventually or even an additional, a pretty extensive education as well as devotion to accomplish well academically, actually, or even athletically. Therefore, I threw myself into that whole form of mentality." When I was actually working with the Air Force, I had the capacity to soar as well as deal with aircraft that I will dream about, considering in the publications Air travel Week and also Space Technology. Right here they are actually, ideal before me." ... So, my job has been as close as feasible to that of a flight exam designer. And then, right on the heels of being captivated by atmospheric flight, doing work in individual spaceflight has set me over the Moon.".-- Physician Donald Mendoza, Chief Engineer, NASA Engineering & Safety Facility, NASA's Ames Research Center.Graphic Credit Rating: NASA/Dominic HartInterviewer: NASA/Thalia Patrinos.Look at a number of our various other Images of NASA.