." From my earliest childhood years, flight had actually always mesmerized me. I survived in the boonies and also the farmlands, so I really did not possess neighbors to go and also enjoy with. If I wasn't working, I was delegated to my personal gadgets, and often, I would merely be mesmerized by the wildlife and in particular, the raptors that I would view." To me, they exemplified a freedom of some kind or another. These birds as well as the view they have-- they may absorb a lot. So, coming from that point on, I recognized I desired to be involved in tour and also air travel." I [delighted in] all traits tour, all things spaceflight. I couldn't get enough of it. I became a passionate viewers, whereas previously, I wasn't much of a viewers. I could not acquire adequate component to check out my heroes from air travel and area. They became my role models and also the road that they took involved, at some point or an additional, a rather thorough learning as well as devotion to accomplish well academically, actually, or even athletically. Thus, I tossed on my own into that whole form of attitude." When I was working for the Aviation service, I was able to fly and work on aircraft that I would certainly hope approximately, taking a look at in the magazines Aviation Full week and also Room Innovation. Below they are, best facing me." ... Thus, my job has been actually as close as achievable to that of an air travel examination designer. And afterwards, exactly on the heels of being captivated by atmospherical trip, doing work in human spaceflight has placed me over the Moon.".-- Doctor Donald Mendoza, Principal Designer, NASA Engineering & Security Center, NASA's Ames Proving ground.Photo Credit History: NASA/Dominic HartInterviewer: NASA/Thalia Patrinos.Visit some of our various other Faces of NASA.