." From my earliest childhood, flight had actually consistently captivated me. I endured in the boonies and the farmlands, so I didn't have neighbors to go as well as have fun with. If I wasn't functioning, I was actually delegated to my own tools, as well as frequently, I would certainly merely be actually mesmerized by the wildlife and in particular, the raptorial birds that I would see." To me, they stood for a flexibility of some kind or even one more. These birds as well as the sight they have-- they may enjoy so much. So, from that point on, I knew I wished to be actually associated with air travel as well as aviation." I [appreciated] all points air travel, all things spaceflight. I couldn't obtain good enough of it. I came to be an avid audience, whereas in the past, I wasn't much of an audience. I could not receive sufficient material to read about my heroes from tour as well as area. They became my shining example and also the pathway that they took included, at some time or even yet another, a fairly rigorous learning as well as devotion to carry out effectively academically, physically, or even athletically. Therefore, I threw myself right into that whole entire sort of mentality." When I was working with the Air Force, I was able to fly as well as deal with plane that I would dream around, considering in the journals Aviation Full week as well as Room Modern Technology. Listed here they are actually, best in front of me." ... Therefore, my occupation has been actually as close as possible to that of a trip exam designer. And afterwards, precisely the heels of being spellbinded through climatic trip, working in human spaceflight has actually placed me over the Moon.".-- Physician Donald Mendoza, Chief Designer, NASA Design & Security Facility, NASA's Ames Proving ground.Graphic Credit Rating: NASA/Dominic HartInterviewer: NASA/Thalia Patrinos.Check out a few of our various other Faces of NASA.