." From my earliest youth, air travel had actually regularly astounded me. I survived in the boonies and the farmlands, so I failed to have neighbors to go as well as enjoy with. If I had not been operating, I was left to my very own units, and also frequently, I would merely be astounded by the wildlife and especially, the raptorial birds that I will find." To me, they exemplified an independence of some kind or another. These birds as well as the view they have-- they may absorb a great deal. So, from that point on, I understood I wanted to be associated with tour and aeronautics." I [delighted in] all points air travel, all traits spaceflight. I could not acquire good enough of it. I came to be an enthusiastic audience, whereas previously, I wasn't much of an audience. I could not acquire enough material to check out my heroes coming from tour and also room. They became my good example as well as the course that they took included, at some time or yet another, a quite strenuous learning and dedication to doing well academically, physically, or athletically. Thus, I tossed myself into that whole sort of mentality." When I was actually working for the Aviation service, I was able to soar and also work on aircraft that I would fantasize about, examining in the magazines Aviation Full week and also Area Innovation. Here they are, correct facing me." ... Therefore, my profession has been actually as close as achievable to that of a trip examination designer. And after that, precisely the heels of being actually mesmerized by atmospheric tour, functioning in individual spaceflight has placed me over the Moon.".-- Doctor Donald Mendoza, Principal Designer, NASA Design & Protection Facility, NASA's Ames .Graphic Credit Score: NASA/Dominic HartInterviewer: NASA/Thalia Patrinos.Take a look at some of our various other Faces of NASA.