Mike Melvill

“It was a mind-boggling experience, and it's something that I'll remember for the rest of my life.”

“It was a fantastic view. I did get to unstrap and look out the windows and it's amazing. It's just black out there.”

“It was an amazing, amazing ride... the colors are just stunningly beautiful.”

“When you look out there and you see the Earth... it's just this thin little blue line and you realize how fragile it all is.”

“I'm the first private astronaut, if you like, to go into space.”

“If you're an airplane guy, you're always looking for another airplane to fly.”

“And for all you people out there who have a dream, I'm here to tell you that, you know, you can make it happen.”

“I would go again in a heartbeat. I'm ready to go again tomorrow.”

“Anybody that's ever gone to space says the same thing... You look at the Earth, and you're just overcome by the beauty of it.”

“The thing that gets you is looking back at the Earth. I've heard astronauts say that for years, and now I know what they mean.”