Duane G. Carey

I'm looking forward to coming back, back to Earth, the landing, the views. ”

That's what Hubble can do for us. It can tell us whether the universe is expanding forever or if one day it's going to come back together. ”

Being in space, I'm really looking forward to working with this team of folks that I'm with. ”

And, I was really impressed with how beautiful our country was and how friendly the people were. ”

I worked for some very good people who have helped me along the way and actually enabled me to have the opportunity to be selected to join the Astronaut Corps. ”

And then, when I thought about joining the Air Force, flying seemed like a natural extension of the motorcycling experience. You're going faster, higher. You're operating a machine that's a lot more powerful than you are. ”

You know, piloting really isn't my hobby. And, it's probably not something I'd do in my spare time if I could do whatever I wanted to do. But, I'll tell you: if you've got to make a living, it's a great way to make a living! ”

Well, for me it really wasn't a case of deciding to be an astronaut. ”

I see it as one of my jobs to make sure that, it sounds ridiculous, but to make sure the folks are eating, make sure folks are getting enough fluids, make sure folks are, you know, comfortable in the orbiter. ”

And, that's what I truly believe that we're doing when we're advancing scientific knowledge is we're someday making the world better. Not only for our children, but for all people after that. ”