I was a graduate student in 1984 when President Ronald Reagan called for the construction of a new space station. I knew then that I wanted to apply for the astronaut program, and this was an exciting development. — Leroy Chiao Copy Share Image
I remember taking a space walk on the ISS. There I was, wrench in hand, tightening bolts on a new module. It was such a mundane task. But when I looked in one direction, there was Earth floating in vivid… — Leroy Chiao Copy Share Image
If you increase the number of rockets you build and you buy, then it's the scale of the economy, the price is going to… — Leroy Chiao Copy Share Image
I'm skeptical of claims that we've been visited by aliens from another planet or other dimension, but I don't rule it out 100 percent.… — Leroy Chiao Copy Share Image
On the mission I brought a flag from China, I brought the stone sculpture from Hong Kong, and I brought a scroll from Taiwan.… — Leroy Chiao Copy Share Image
I think it's good to have competition. Now we have a third country that can launch astronauts, so it's good for all of us.… — Leroy Chiao Copy Share Image
I remember getting advice like, "Oh, do what interests you. Don't worry about tomorrow, live for today," kind of thing. And to a degree,… — Leroy Chiao Copy Share Image
When Russians were having troubles, the Space Shuttle supported the Space Station Mir bringing up much needed supplies and replacements, critical spares, really. That… — Leroy Chiao Copy Share Image
Tinkering is something we need to know how to do in order to keep something like the space station running. I am a tinkerer… — Leroy Chiao Copy Share Image
We were trying to do as much science as we could because that was the main purpose of the international space station. But without… — Leroy Chiao Copy Share Image
The space station mission was kind of the culmination of all of my experience of being a NASA Astronaut, so it had brought all… — Leroy Chiao Copy Share Image
The expense of getting into space is the rocket launch, the rocket itself. Rocket's right now, commercial rockets cost probably somewhere between $50, or… — Leroy Chiao Copy Share Image
If we're not able to launch our own people and operate our own spacecraft anymore then, you know, space - whether it should be… — Leroy Chiao Copy Share Image
