I didn't really decide that I wanted to be an astronaut for sure until the end of college.

Quote by Sally Ride

Topics: Sally Ride Quotes

But when I wasn't working, I was usually at a window looking down at Earth.

But when I wasn't working, I was usually at a window looking down at Earth.

I don't have any nicknames.

I don't have any nicknames.

NASA has to approve whatever we wear, so there are clothes to choose from, like...

NASA has to approve whatever we wear, so there are clothes to choose from, like...

So most astronauts are astronauts for a couple of years before they are assigned to...

So most astronauts are astronauts for a couple of years before they are assigned to...

So I saw many planets, and they looked just a little bit brighter than they...

So I saw many planets, and they looked just a little bit brighter than they...

It's easy to sleep floating around - it's very comfortable. But you have to be...

It's easy to sleep floating around - it's very comfortable. But you have to be...

I do a lot of running and hiking, and I also collect stamps - space...

I do a lot of running and hiking, and I also collect stamps - space...

I slept just floating in the middle of the flight deck, the upper deck of...

I slept just floating in the middle of the flight deck, the upper deck of...

Women make up only 25 percent of the science, engineering and technology workforce... We are...

Women make up only 25 percent of the science, engineering and technology workforce... We are...

On a standard space shuttle crew, two of the astronauts have a test pilot background...

On a standard space shuttle crew, two of the astronauts have a test pilot background...

The pressure suit helps if something goes wrong during launch or re-entry - astronauts have...

The pressure suit helps if something goes wrong during launch or re-entry - astronauts have...

My background is in physics, so I was the mission specialist, who is sort of...

My background is in physics, so I was the mission specialist, who is sort of...

So most astronauts getting ready to lift off are excited and very anxious and worried...

So most astronauts getting ready to lift off are excited and very anxious and worried...

On both of my flights, everything went very well.

On both of my flights, everything went very well.

It takes a few years to prepare for a space mission.

It takes a few years to prepare for a space mission.

The view of Earth is spectacular.

The view of Earth is spectacular.

All adventures, especially into new territory, are scary.

All adventures, especially into new territory, are scary.

Well, we spend an awful lot of our time working and doing experiments. It's very...

Well, we spend an awful lot of our time working and doing experiments. It's very...

But even in elementary school and junior high, I was very interested in space and...

But even in elementary school and junior high, I was very interested in space and...

After the Challenger accident, NASA put in a lot of time to improve the safety...

After the Challenger accident, NASA put in a lot of time to improve the safety...