After the loss of Columbia a couple of years ago, I think we were reminded of the risk. All of us, though, have always known that the Space Shuttle is a very risky vehicle, much more risky than even flying airplanes in combat.

I always dedicate my goals to my mum. I lost her a couple of years ago. She was my biggest supporter and is always with me.

No, I think most astronauts recognize that the space shuttle program is very high-risk, and are prepared for accidents.

A couple of years ago, I had my DNA sequencing done, and it is all anonymous. When the results came back, my musculature type said, 'most likely to be a sprinter.'

Space travel is the only technology that is more dangerous and more expensive now than it was in its first year. Fifty years after Yuri Gagarin, the space shuttle ended up being more dangerous and more expensive to fly than those first throwaway rockets, even though large portions of it were reusable. It's absurd.

I think both the space shuttle program and the International Space Station program have not really lived up to their expectations.