." From my earliest childhood years, flight had constantly mesmerized me. I lived out in the boonies and the fields, so I failed to have next-door neighbors to go and have fun with. If I had not been operating, I was delegated my very own units, as well as typically, I would just be mesmerized by the animals and also particularly, the raptorial birds that I would certainly find." To me, they stood for an independence of some kind or yet another. These birds as well as the scenery they possess-- they can easily enjoy so much. Therefore, coming from that factor on, I recognized I would like to be associated with air travel and also aviation." I [delighted in] all factors trip, all things spaceflight. I could not acquire good enough of it. I came to be a devoted reader, whereas in the past, I wasn't a lot of a visitor. I could not get enough component to check out my heroes from trip and also space. They became my role models and the course that they took included, at some point or one more, a rather strenuous education and also dedication to accomplish well academically, physically, or even athletically. Therefore, I tossed on my own into that whole form of state of mind." When I was actually working with the Air Force, I had the ability to soar and also work with airplane that I would certainly dream approximately, looking at in the publications Aviation Full week as well as Area Innovation. Here they are actually, ideal before me." ... Thus, my job has actually been actually as close as feasible to that of a tour test engineer. And after that, exactly on the heels of being actually astounded by climatic air travel, doing work in human spaceflight has set me over the Moon.".-- Doctor Donald Mendoza, Main Developer, NASA Engineering & Protection Center, NASA's Ames Proving ground.Picture Credit: NASA/Dominic HartInterviewer: NASA/Thalia Patrinos.Browse through a few of our other Images of NASA.