And so, I will be probably, since I am not involved in all the activity, I will have some spare time to devote to document all this busy part of the flight.

I was, I remember, I still remember when the first time I pointed the telescope at the sky and I saw Saturn with the rings. It was a beautiful image.

Also we will be carrying food and clothes for the Expedition Two crew. And as well as spare parts for the EVA that will be conducted from the station in the following months.

During that space walk there will be some repositioning of the power so that the arm can be fully controlled by the robotic station that is in the Lab.

And then my chance really happened in 1996 when we added the second flight of the tether satellite.

And since Italy was involved in the space station as well as signed an agreement with NASA. And when the possibility to enter the 1996 Mission Specialist class.

For the first time in history all the major countries in the world are pushing together to reach this goal... building something in space that is really for all humankind.

At that point, there will be the handover between the shuttle arm and the station arm so that the shuttle arm will take the cradle and put it into the cargo bay.

And then I graduate two years later, in 1998, with my class. And, since then I've been here in Houston for training basically. And I was very happy to be assigned to this mission.

I remember; I was 15 years old when Neil Armstrong put feet in the moon.

But, what we need to get out of the first EVA is to have the arm completely unfolded and powered so that they can keep the temperature under control. That will really the call of the first EVA.

That time is long gone. But aren't we still the same people?

For the most part, I did trust my own judgement. But I was more than capable of screwing up. Just, sometimes, I forgot about that in my quest to move forward.

Many might go to heaven with half the labour they go to hell, if they would venture their industry the right way.

NBC's priorities are Jimmy Fallon and Jay Leno, and then there's me.

Ambiguity is the devil's volleyball.

I easily sink into mere absorption of what other minds have done, and should like a whole life for that alone.

I should infinitely prefer a book.

Cool-Hand Luke' is one of my favorite movies.

People should find what approach really speaks to them, and then do it. Obviously, better with a good teacher, who can help you on the path. But in any case, basic principles.

You know your life is over when you own a lawnmower.