I'm just tickled pink that I'll be on Endeavour's last flight. Gregory H. Johnson More Quotes by Gregory H. Johnson More Quotes From Gregory H. Johnson Children often ask me, they say, 'Well, how do you become a fighter pilot, or how do you become an astronaut, or...?' And I say, 'Love what you're doing and do it very well.' Gregory H. Johnson me you love children I was watching a black and white television in Cairo, MI., at my grandparents' house, and I watched Neil Armstrong step on the moon. At that point, it set the bit for me to be an astronaut, and it was kind of like a dream, but it really wasn't reality. Gregory H. Johnson me black-and-white black moon My brother still lives in the house my parents owned in Fairborn. I go back there a lot to visit friends and keep my connection to the National Museum of the Air Force and my membership with the Dayton Engineers Club. Gregory H. Johnson parents friends brother house I did a little bit of flying in high school, but I've just always been inspired and excited about airplanes. Gregory H. Johnson high high-school flying school When you look at the Earth's horizon and see the thickness of the atmosphere, it's not even the thickness of an orange peel. Gregory H. Johnson see look you earth John Glenn's anniversaries have followed me all of my life. I was born in 1962, the year he orbited Earth. Gregory H. Johnson my-life me born life My first date was with Endeavour, and my last date is going to be with Endeavour, as far as space shuttles are concerned. Gregory H. Johnson going first last space I progressed through my schooling, undergraduate and graduate degrees, excited about math and science and engineering, but really didn't think about being an astronaut at that point. It was kind of unreachable. Gregory H. Johnson being think engineering science I remember the first time that I flew on an airplane overseas, it was about when I was seven; it was 1969. Gregory H. Johnson airplane first-time time remember It still amazes me, when I go out and fly the T-38, and I'm looking at those little, short, skinny little wings, and that thing's flying. It's just amazing to me, even now. Gregory H. Johnson fly looking amazing me NASA has made a difference. Gregory H. Johnson nasa difference made When I started flying, I realized how enjoyable it was, and flying became my main focus while engineering went on the back burner. Gregory H. Johnson back engineering flying focus I loved being a test pilot, and so being an astronaut was - was not my end point in, you know, either I achieved success by being an astronaut, or if I don't get picked, I'm not successful. I loved my career as a pilot, and it was a bonus to be selected as an astronaut. Gregory H. Johnson loved end you success The building of the International Space Station is something wonderful, and it will show us how to take the next step beyond low-Earth orbit. Gregory H. Johnson step will building space One of my favorite places on the planet is a place in northern Michigan: Long Lake in Traverse City. Gregory H. Johnson lake city place long I really like connecting with kids. Gregory H. Johnson really like connecting kids I was a military brat; we moved all around. Gregory H. Johnson around moved brat military It's a wonderful experience to look at our Earth. Gregory H. Johnson look experience earth wonderful
