--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We were trying to do as much science as…" description: "\"We were trying to do as much science as we could because that was the main purpose of the international space station. But without the shuttle to bring..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18f/leroy-chiao-7059_accomplished_we-were-trying-to-do-as-much-science-as_321667.jpg" --- # We were trying to do as much science as we could because… ![“We were trying to do as much science as we could because that was the main purpose of the international space station. But without the shuttle to bring up heavy laboratory equipment and bring back samples, we were limited by what we could do, but I was proud that we actually accomplished more…” quote by Leroy Chiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18f/leroy-chiao-7059_accomplished_we-were-trying-to-do-as-much-science-as_321667.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18f/leroy-chiao-7059_accomplished_we-were-trying-to-do-as-much-science-as_321667.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18f/leroy-chiao-7059_accomplished_we-were-trying-to-do-as-much-science-as_321667.jpg) > “We were trying to do as much science as we could because that was the main purpose of the international space station. But without the shuttle to bring up heavy laboratory equipment and bring back samples, we were limited by what we could do, but I was proud that we actually accomplished more science that was planned for the flight. And I got a chance to do two Russian spacewalks on that flight, I had become an expert in U.S. spacewalks and using U.S. suits and techniques, and this was a chance to put on a Russian Orlan suit and do two construction space flights outside of the space station.” [Leroy Chiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-chiao/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The ISS’s scientific output depends on logistics; without the shuttle’s cargo capacity, experiments are limited, yet the crew still exceeded planned science and gained unique EVA experience. **In simple terms:** Science on the ISS is logistics‑driven; crew still achieved more than planned and learned new EVA skills. Key Takeaway Leverage available resources and seek cross‑training opportunities. Themes science logistics collaboration achievement cross‑training Mood proud inspired reflective Type historical motivational When to use this quote - mission planning - resource management - training programs - international crew integration Key Concepts spaceflight operations extravehicular activity international cooperation Questions to Reflect On - How can future stations mitigate cargo limitations? - What benefits arise from cross‑cultural EVA training? A Different Perspective Limited shuttle access constrained experiment scope and required improvisation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Construction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/construction/) [Laboratory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laboratory/) [Proud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proud/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) ## Related quotes > [I actually had four space flights altogether, three times on shuttles. My second flight was really unique for me because I was going back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-chiao/i-actually-had-four-space-flights-altogether-three-times-on-shuttles/) [Leroy Chiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-chiao/) > [I was not really scared on my spacewalks. We practice so much and need to stay so focused that it has a calming effect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-m-grunsfeld/i-was-not-really-scared-on-my-spacewalks-we-practice-so-much-and-need/) [John M. Grunsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-m-grunsfeld/) > [When I did my spacewalks, it was during space station construction. So the shuttle was docked to the fledgling ISS at the time. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hadfield/when-i-did-my-spacewalks-it-was-during-space-station-construction-so/) [Chris Hadfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hadfield/) > [I've been so lucky to have done two spacewalks. If you looked at your wristwatch, I was outside about 15 hours, which is about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hadfield/i-ve-been-so-lucky-to-have-done-two-spacewalks-if-you-looked-at-your/) [Chris Hadfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hadfield/) > [I'll be helping them getting suited up, getting them in the airlock, getting the airlock prepared, and getting them out the hatch, and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-kelly/i-ll-be-helping-them-getting-suited-up-getting-them-in-the-airlock/) [Mark Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-kelly/) > [After my spacewalks, I am quite exhilarated but also tired, similar to a workout on Planet Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-m-grunsfeld/after-my-spacewalks-i-am-quite-exhilarated-but-also-tired-similar-to/) [John M. Grunsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-m-grunsfeld/) > [My job during the EVAs, the spacewalks, is to act as the inside coordinator. I remain on the aft flight deck of the shuttle,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-g-poindexter/my-job-during-the-evas-the-spacewalks-is-to-act-as-the-inside/) [Alan G. Poindexter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-g-poindexter/) > [And from, you know, small ideas, bigger ideas emerge. So we're starting with suborbital space flights and we'll then go into orbital space flights…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/and-from-you-know-small-ideas-bigger-ideas-emerge-so-we-re-starting/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [Nothing will stop us. The road to the stars is steep and dangerous. But we're not afraid . . . Space flights can't be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuri-gagarin/nothing-will-stop-us-the-road-to-the-stars-is-steep-and-dangerous-but/) [Yuri Gagarin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuri-gagarin/) > [It was the time of the Cold War and so there were was a lot of pressure on the - to get going and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-glenn/it-was-the-time-of-the-cold-war-and-so-there-were-was-a-lot-of/) [John Glenn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-glenn/) > [I'm somewhat antagonistic towards these various projects that charge $250,000 per person for the ability to be weightless for 3 minutes after being brought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-frommer/i-m-somewhat-antagonistic-towards-these-various-projects-that-charge/) [Arthur Frommer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-frommer/) > [We have lost one shuttle for every 57 flights and that is not a good ratio. I do believe we need to continue space…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lincoln-davis/we-have-lost-one-shuttle-for-every-57-flights-and-that-is-not-a-good/) Lincoln Davis > [Space flights are merely an escape, a fleeing away from oneself, because it is easier to go to Mars or to the moon than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/space-flights-are-merely-an-escape-a-fleeing-away-from-oneself/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) > [By the way, Japan is also known to be actively engaged in manned space flights as part of the International Space Station.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/by-the-way-japan-is-also-known-to-be-actively-engaged-in-manned-space/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [My first concert isn't that cool or ironic. I wish it had been like, "My first concert was the Backstreet Boys," but the first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-kroll/my-first-concert-isn-t-that-cool-or-ironic-i-wish-it-had-been-like-my/) [Nick Kroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-kroll/) ## More by Leroy Chiao > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-chiao/if-you-increase-the-number-of-rockets-you-build-and-you-buy-then-it-s/) [Leroy Chiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-chiao/) > [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.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-chiao/i-m-skeptical-of-claims-that-we-ve-been-visited-by-aliens-from/) [Leroy Chiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-chiao/) > [On the mission I brought a flag from China, I brought the stone sculpture from Hong Kong, and I brought a scroll from Taiwan.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-chiao/on-the-mission-i-brought-a-flag-from-china-i-brought-the-stone/) [Leroy Chiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-chiao/) > [One day, people will be able to buy tickets to visit space.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-chiao/one-day-people-will-be-able-to-buy-tickets-to-visit-space/) [Leroy Chiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-chiao/) > [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.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-chiao/i-think-it-s-good-to-have-competition-now-we-have-a-third-country/) [Leroy Chiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-chiao/) > [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,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-chiao/i-remember-getting-advice-like-oh-do-what-interests-you-don-t-worry/) [Leroy Chiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-chiao/) > [When Russians were having troubles, the Space Shuttle supported the Space Station Mir bringing up much needed supplies and replacements, critical spares, really. That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-chiao/when-russians-were-having-troubles-the-space-shuttle-supported-the/) [Leroy Chiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-chiao/) > [Tinkering is something we need to know how to do in order to keep something like the space station running. I am a tinkerer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-chiao/tinkering-is-something-we-need-to-know-how-to-do-in-order-to-keep/) [Leroy Chiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-chiao/) > [The space station mission was kind of the culmination of all of my experience of being a NASA Astronaut, so it had brought all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-chiao/the-space-station-mission-was-kind-of-the-culmination-of-all-of-my/) [Leroy Chiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-chiao/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-chiao/the-expense-of-getting-into-space-is-the-rocket-launch-the-rocket/) [Leroy Chiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-chiao/) > [If we're not able to launch our own people and operate our own spacecraft anymore then, you know, space - whether it should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-chiao/if-we-re-not-able-to-launch-our-own-people-and-operate-our-own/) [Leroy Chiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-chiao/) > [When I was at NASA, I had a house on a small private airstrip that we shared between the flying community. I had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-chiao/when-i-was-at-nasa-i-had-a-house-on-a-small-private-airstrip-that-we/) [Leroy Chiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-chiao/) > [Donald Trump's administration is floating a proposal to return to the moon - and to shut down the International Space Station to help pay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-chiao/donald-trump-s-administration-is-floating-a-proposal-to-return-to-the/) [Leroy Chiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-chiao/) > [Because we didn't cooperate with China, we gave them motivation to develop their own capability. You know, they developed a very capable rocket system,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-chiao/because-we-didn-t-cooperate-with-china-we-gave-them-motivation-to/) [Leroy Chiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-chiao/) > [In a big picture sense, it's more national prestige that we're risking. You know, we are proud of our space program, but as we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-chiao/in-a-big-picture-sense-it-s-more-national-prestige-that-we-re-risking/) [Leroy Chiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-chiao/) [Explore all 95 Leroy Chiao quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-chiao/) ## More Accomplished quotes > [I never believed in trying to do anything. Whatever I set out to do I found I had already accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/i-never-believed-in-trying-to-do-anything-whatever-i-set-out-to-do-i/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [This is, for an accomplished Latino, an accomplished African American, an accomplished anyone who disproves stereotypes, it's a constant battle in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-sotomayor/this-is-for-an-accomplished-latino-an-accomplished-african-american/) [Sonia Sotomayor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-sotomayor/) > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [... even the most sublimely accomplished non-stop talker can't consistently please.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-salinger-2/even-the-most-sublimely-accomplished-non-stop-talker-can-t/) [J. D. Salinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-salinger-2/) > [ \[U\]nless oppressed groups stick together, and on alliances of self interest rather than do-goodism; nothing can be accomplished in the long run to dismantle… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shulamith-firestone/u-nless-oppressed-groups-stick-together-and-on-alliances-of-self/) [Shulamith Firestone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shulamith-firestone/) > [Alas, you don't need monsters for monstrous deeds to be accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zygmunt-bauman/alas-you-don-t-need-monsters-for-monstrous-deeds-to-be-accomplished/) [Zygmunt Bauman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zygmunt-bauman/) > [Like all writers, he measured the achievements of others by what they had accomplished, asking of them that they measure him by what he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/like-all-writers-he-measured-the-achievements-of-others-by-what-they/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [I'm proud of what I've accomplished and that is empowering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/violet-chachki/i-m-proud-of-what-i-ve-accomplished-and-that-is-empowering/) [Violet Chachki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/violet-chachki/) > [We do not know today whether we are busy or idle. In times when we thought ourselves indolent, we have afterwards discovered that much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/we-do-not-know-today-whether-we-are-busy-or-idle-in-times-when-we/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I don't know Beyoncé, but I have the impression that she's sincere, that she really is a feminist and wanted to put the word…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/i-don-t-know-beyonc-but-i-have-the-impression-that-she-s-sincere-that/) [Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/) > [The gain in self-confidence of having accomplished a tiresome labour is immense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-bennett/the-gain-in-self-confidence-of-having-accomplished-a-tiresome-labour/) [Arnold Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-bennett/) > [With Epcot Center, the Disney corporation has accomplished something I didn't think possible in today's world. They have created a land of make-believe that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/with-epcot-center-the-disney-corporation-has-accomplished-something-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Listing the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act could harm bear conservation efforts by eliminating revenues from the carefully-regulated sport hunting of polar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-ridenour/listing-the-polar-bear-under-the-endangered-species-act-could-harm/) Amy Ridenour > [“Great things can be accomplished, when it doesnt matter who gets the credit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/great-things-can-be-accomplished-when-it-doesnt-matter-who-gets-the/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [If I could inspire you for even a moment to be yourself and love yourself, and not let what anyone has to say hinder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-neal-hartry/if-i-could-inspire-you-for-even-a-moment-to-be-yourself-and-love/) [Joshua Neal Hartry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-neal-hartry/) Browse all 1,379 Accomplished quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We were trying to do as much science as we could because that was the main purpose of the international space station. 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