Q1: How long have you worked in NASA?

I worked at NASA for two years.  I've been working with NASA as a consultant for more than 20.

 

Q2. What classes(in high school) would you recommend for students who want to be an astronaut or work in NASA?What classes did you pick?

Honestly, my most useful class in high school was typing!  I took a full load in all subjects; a "liberal arts" curriculum.  My high school had only two AP courses (English and Biology) and I took both of them.  I also took as many tech ed classes as I could fit.  My biggest regret is that I didn't learn how to weld.

 

I wouldn't recommend any specific course to be an astronaut, but math and science are very important.  Flying lessons are a good  extracurricular.

 

Q3. What is your opinion about sending humans on Mars?

Absolutely!  It's the next step in exploration.

 

Q4. What do you think about the future of Mars exploration? Do you believe  that humans will ever reach there? Why or Why not?

We have the technology to do so, but the solutions need to be engineered and built.  That requires money and political will.  There are a number of human challenges that must be addressed, especially the effects of high energy radiation on soft tissue like the heart and brain.

 

Q5.If you had a chance to name a rover to Mars, what would you name it? Why?

I wouldn't.  I'd share that challenge with school kids, because they're the future astronauts who will be going to Mars.

 

Q6. When you were in space, were you lonely? Did your crew interact in non-mission activities?( like a board game or discussing stuff)

No, never lonely.  I had six other crewmates for talk and play.   A board game is pretty impossible in free fall, but we always made sure to eat together and hang out.

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Q8. When you were in space for the first time in your life, how did it felt? Exciting? Scary?

I flew in 1998.  It is very exciting, and feels exactly like falling ... except you're falling for more than two weeks!

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