Quote

We didn't use the shuttle robot arm before, so this has been a training flow to get ready for that.

To be one of the world's top space robotic arm operators is a necessary skill for an astronaut, but it doesn't have much carry-over.

Then during the mission itself, I used the space shuttle's robot arm to release a satellite into orbit.

And now for Return to Flight, I'm chief of robotics working in the astronaut office in Houston, as a Canadian.

When people have asked if I'd like to go in the Shuttle, I said you don't get to fly it, except for landing, which I'd love to do. I wouldn't go unless I could command it.

You don't want to stand too close to a robot arm; it can turn your head to mush.

I think I'm going to be a stuntwoman on the side.

I would love a robot butler.

After assembly complete, when we have a larger crew on orbit, a more complex vehicle, more laboratories and more robot arms, maybe we'll have room for specialists. But right now we don't.

If my vision was good enough, I'd be an astronaut.