Because we didn't cooperate with China, we gave them motivation to develop their own capability. You know, they developed a very capable… — Leroy Chiao Copy Share Image
In 2006, I became the fist American to be allowed to go visit their astronaut center in China in Beijing. I think… — Leroy Chiao Copy Share Image
The Russians have been flying long duration crews since the early '70's. And in the early days, they've ended at least two… — Leroy Chiao Copy Share Image
The most important thing about an astronaut is you have to take for a given a person's done pretty well in school,… — Leroy Chiao Copy Share Image
But a lot of that kind of work is done pre-flight, coordinating efforts with the flight directors and the ground teams, and… — 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
