." From my earliest youth, flight had actually constantly astounded me. I survived in the boonies and the fields, so I didn't possess next-door neighbors to go and also play with. If I had not been functioning, I was entrusted to my own tools, and also often, I would certainly simply be actually spellbinded due to the wild animals as well as in particular, the predators 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 so much. So, coming from that point on, I understood I wanted to be actually associated with flight and aeronautics." I [delighted in] all factors air travel, all factors spaceflight. I could not get enough of it. I ended up being an experienced visitor, whereas previously, I had not been much of a reader. I could not acquire enough component to review my heroes coming from tour as well as space. They became my shining example and the course that they took involved, at some point or an additional, a rather strenuous learning as well as commitment to carry out well academically, physically, or athletically. So, I tossed myself right into that whole entire sort of frame of mind." When I was benefiting the Flying force, I was able to fly as well as work on plane that I will hope about, checking out in the publications Flying Full week as well as Room Technology. Below they are actually, ideal before me." ... Therefore, my occupation has been actually as close as possible to that of a trip exam engineer. And after that, directly on the heels of being astounded by atmospheric trip, functioning in human spaceflight has actually put me over the Moon.".-- Doctor Donald Mendoza, Principal Designer, NASA Engineering & Security Facility, NASA's Ames Research Center.Picture Credit: NASA/Dominic HartInterviewer: NASA/Thalia Patrinos.Take a look at a few of our other Faces of NASA.