My Background Is In Physics, So I

Yes, I Did Feel A Special Responsibility To Be The First American Woman In Space.

I Was Always Very Interested In Science, And I Knew That For Me, Science Was A Better Long-term Career Than Tennis.

It Takes A Couple Of Years Just To Get The Background And Knowledge That You Need Before You Can Go Into Detailed Training For Your Mission.

When The Space Shuttle's Engines Cut Off, And You're Finally In Space, In Orbit, Weightless... I Remember Unstrapping From My Seat, Floating Over To The Window, And That's When I Got My First View Of Earth. Just A Spectacular View, And A Chance To See Our Planet As A Planet.

My Parents Must Have Done A Great Job. Anytime I Wanted To Pursue Something That They Weren't Familiar With, That Was Not Part Of Their Lifestyle, They Let Me Go Ahead And Do It.