It is noted in your biography that one of many degrees is in literature. Do you think NASA will ever open its ranks to writers and/or artists who could record the experience of space exploration in the passion and artistry different from that of scientists and military pilots?

I think that it is very, very important. I work at that myself, as hard as I can, to be able to capture what space is; in the heart, the soul and medium, whether it is photography, poetry or paintings. To bring the experience into the culture, because without it, spaceflight will die.

I do not know when NASA will again open the doors to flying people just to go as writers or artists. There has been the 'Journalist in Space' program, which was in place prior to the Challenger Accident. I do not know when or if NASA will open that kind of program again. To fly a teacher, journalist or artist in space.

But I think it is extraordinarily important that we fly people with literary and artistic ability to catch what space is all about, so that other people experience it, and to be sure that the meaning of space is caught.