Q & A with Barb

What was the greatest challenge you had to overcome while living and working in space?

This might surprise some people, but with the right training (the right education), the greatest challenges are all faced before you fly.

Pilots often say, "You fly as you train," and they are right. When we were told we had a big ding in the tiles, we were ready for it. When we had to come home early because of Hurricane Dean, we were ready and we changed our plans and still accomplished everything.

But there were things I was surprised by. For example, I was amazed at how things just seemed to float away when I wasn't looking. I even lost my glasses for five whole days, until they finally showed up, stuck against the filter for our air circulation system.

- Barbara

What did you feel like doing during your personal time in space? How creative did you feel, what were you inspired to do?

We actually had very little personal time.  There was always work that needed to be done.  That's OK, though . . . the work's interesting, challenging, and fun!  

      So I had very few "personal moments."  But I loved our views of the Earth.  Once, I got to watch the sun rise.  The horizon appeared as one thin blue line, and then it multiplied.  I have never seen so many shades of blue.  Then the sunlight hit the space station, and the solar arrays started to glow a brilliant glow—like the elements in your toaster, only a bright Inca gold.

      And here's what I was inspired to do, creatively:  When I went from our space shuttle's middeck into the SpaceHab, I shot myself as fast as I could through the tunnel -- sometimes feet first, sometimes head first, sometimes like a football, but in a slow spiral.  Sometimes, I tried to do it as gracefully as I could.  Other times, I ricocheted, like a pinball.

- Barbara