." Coming from my earliest childhood years, trip had actually consistently astounded me. I lived out in the boonies as well as the fields, so I didn't possess neighbors to go and enjoy with. If I had not been functioning, I was actually entrusted to my very own gadgets, as well as often, I would certainly merely be actually astounded due to the creatures and also particularly, the raptors that I would view." To me, they embodied a freedom of some kind or even another. These birds as well as the sight they possess-- they can easily take in a great deal. Therefore, coming from that point on, I recognized I would like to be actually associated with air travel and aeronautics." I [delighted in] all traits flight, all things spaceflight. I could not receive good enough of it. I came to be a devoted visitor, whereas previously, I had not been a lot of a viewers. I couldn't acquire adequate material to read about my heroes coming from trip as well as space. They became my role models as well as the road that they took included, eventually or even an additional, a rather extensive education and devotion to carry out effectively academically, physically, or athletically. So, I threw on my own in to that whole sort of state of mind." When I was actually helping the Flying force, I had the capacity to fly as well as work on aircraft that I will fantasize about, examining in the magazines Aeronautics Week and also Area Innovation. Below they are actually, best in front of me." ... Therefore, my job has actually been actually as close as feasible to that of an air travel examination designer. And after that, precisely the heels of being actually captivated through atmospherical tour, doing work in individual spaceflight has actually put me over the Moon.".-- Dr. Donald Mendoza, Main Engineer, NASA Engineering & Security Center, NASA's Ames Proving ground.Graphic Credit: NASA/Dominic HartInterviewer: NASA/Thalia Patrinos.Look at some of our various other Faces of NASA.