." From my earliest youth, flight had constantly astounded me. I endured in the boonies as well as the farmlands, so I failed to possess next-door neighbors to go as well as enjoy with. If I wasn't functioning, I was actually entrusted to my very own units, as well as usually, I will only be actually astounded by the wildlife and specifically, the raptors that I would certainly see." To me, they exemplified a freedom of some kind or one more. These birds as well as the sight they have-- they may consume a lot. Therefore, coming from that aspect on, I knew I wished to be involved in flight as well as flying." I [appreciated] all traits tour, all factors spaceflight. I couldn't acquire enough of it. I became an avid reader, whereas before, I had not been much of a reader. I could not obtain adequate material to review my heroes from flight and also area. They became my role models as well as the road that they took included, at some point or even an additional, a fairly rigorous education and devotion to accomplish properly academically, literally, or even athletically. Thus, I tossed on my own right into that whole form of mindset." When I was actually helping the Flying force, I managed to fly and also deal with aircraft that I would certainly hope about, checking out in the journals Aviation Full week and also Area Technology. Listed below they are actually, best before me." ... So, my job has been as close as achievable to that of an air travel test engineer. And then, directly on the heels of being actually mesmerized through atmospherical air travel, doing work in individual spaceflight has actually set me over the Moon.".-- Doctor Donald Mendoza, Chief Developer, NASA Engineering & Safety Facility, NASA's Ames Proving ground.Graphic Credit Report: NASA/Dominic HartInterviewer: NASA/Thalia Patrinos.Check out some of our other Images of NASA.