Unknown
Michael P. Anderson
My dad was in the Air Force. Being an Air Force brat and living on Air Force bases, I was always around airplanes. So, my interest in aviation and my interest in science were two of the things I really latched on to, and two things that I just couldn't shake as I grew older.
Michael P. Anderson
Like most kids growing up, I had a very wide interest. I was interested in everything. I tried to take advantage of everything, from the sciences to music to writing to literature.
Michael P. Anderson
It's a great view from here. I'm having the time of my life.
Michael P. Anderson
It looks like the future's really bright.
Michael P. Anderson
If you want something that's going to provide you with a lot of challenges and a variety of different things to do, then you really can't beat a place like the Air Force. I don't mean this to sound like a recruiting pitch. But it's been a lot of fun.
Michael P. Anderson
I went to the University of Washington as a physics and astronomy major. My other interest, of course, was aviation. I always wanted to be a pilot. And if you're going to fly airplanes, the best place to be is the Air Force.
Michael P. Anderson
I went back to college, picked up a masters degree in physics from Creighton University in Nebraska, and at that point, Isat down and filled out the NASA application and sent it in.
Michael P. Anderson
I really shouldn't say that I don't like launches. You're really taking an explosion and you're trying to control it. You're trying to harness that energy in a way that will propel you into space. And we're very successful in doing that. But there are a million things that can go wrong.
Michael P. Anderson
Fortunately, I got called down to NASA for an interview. And one thing led to the next, and one day I got that call. I've been here about seven years now and am really enjoying it.
Michael P. Anderson
As you look back at your life, there are just a million different things that have happened, just in the right way, to allow you to make your dreams come true. And you know, someone has all that under control.