I don't know why I always liked aerospace engineering. I was in the 10th grade when I figured that's what I wanted to do.
I was interested in aerospace and flying, and the U.S. is really the best place in the world for flying.
When you lift off, the pressure is supposed to be maximum. But actually, it was very benign. Very enjoyable. But as soon as the engines cut off and you get to zero gravity, you felt as if you were being pushed off your seat. You feel disoriented. You don't feel aligned with anything. I felt for a few good hours that I was falling.
Do something because you really want to do it. If you're doing it just for the goal and don't enjoy the path, then I think you're cheating yourself.
When you look at the stars and the galaxy, you feel that you are not just from any particular piece of land, but from the solar system.
We gazed dreamily at the Milky Way and once in a while caught some shooting stars. Times like those gave me the opportunity to wonder and ask all those very basic questions. That sense of awe for the heavens started there.
We crossed the Himalayas in less than two minutes, and then you realise, 'Oh My God, within an hour and a half, we have gone around the whole planet.'
I stopped thinking about it after trying to figure out what are the lessons learned, and there are so many. After I had basically sorted that out, I figured it's time to really look at the future and not at the past.
The list of what I want to do is so long, I would need a few lifetimes to achieve them. For instance, I would like to fly small planes, maybe over the Ganges one day.
There are so many people who are arguing or fighting over issues which don't have much relevance. We must all realise it is not worth it.
The first view of the Earth is magical. It is a very overpowering realization that the Earth is so small. It affected me. I could not get over the notion that in such a small planet, with such a small ribbon of life, so much goes on. It is as if the whole place is sacred.
The quickest way may not necessarily be the best.
If you want to do something, what does it matter where you are ranked?
Some of the senior people, the very senior astronauts, shook my hand and said, 'K.C., you did a great job. Don't let anyone tell you different.'
I have felt that connection and stewardship for Earth for as long as I can remember. And not just for Earth, but the whole universe.
