." Coming from my earliest childhood, flight had consistently spellbinded me. I survived in the boonies as well as the fields, so I failed to possess next-door neighbors to go as well as enjoy with. If I had not been working, I was actually left to my own devices, and frequently, I will simply be mesmerized by the wild animals and also especially, the raptorial birds that I would certainly observe." To me, they exemplified an independence of some kind or even an additional. These birds and also the sight they have-- they may take in a lot. Therefore, coming from that point on, I understood I would like to be actually involved in air travel as well as aviation." I [appreciated] all things trip, all traits spaceflight. I couldn't acquire good enough of it. I ended up being an avid visitor, whereas previously, I had not been much of a viewers. I couldn't receive adequate product to read about my heroes coming from air travel and area. They became my good example and also the course that they took involved, at some time or one more, a quite rigorous education and learning as well as commitment to perform well academically, literally, or even athletically. Thus, I threw on my own right into that whole type of attitude." When I was working for the Aviation service, I managed to soar as well as deal with airplane that I would fantasize about, taking a look at in the journals Aeronautics Week and also Room Innovation. Listed here they are, right before me." ... So, my occupation has been as close as possible to that of a tour test designer. And after that, exactly on the heels of being actually captivated through atmospherical air travel, operating in human spaceflight has actually placed me over the Moon.".-- Physician Donald Mendoza, Chief Designer, NASA Design & Safety And Security Center, NASA's Ames Research Center.Picture Credit Rating: NASA/Dominic HartInterviewer: NASA/Thalia Patrinos.Visit several of our various other Faces of NASA.