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Having the benefit to our society, not only here in the United States but throughout the world with the amount of invention you get from having a space program, is well worth the risk that an individual like myself has to take by flying in the vehicle.

Being first outside the spacecraft would bring much more responsibility, and I really wasn't looking for that.

Flying in space is a privilege, whether it's the first time or the fourth time.

Having the opportunity to fly the first flight of something like a space shuttle was the ultimate test flight.

I have wanted to fly into space for many years, but never imagined it would really be feasible.

The space shuttle is a better and safer rocket than it was before the Challenger accident.

I think everything has its own pros and cons.

Aviation - and space travel, in particular - have always been especially captivating.

I would like to fly in space. Absolutely. That would be cool. I used to just do personally risky things, but now I've got kids and responsibilities, so I can't be my own test pilot. That wouldn't be a good idea. But I definitely want to fly as soon as it's a sensible thing to do.

I would much rather fly on Soyuz than the shuttle.