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. It makes us a little bit more competitive and wanting to be the leader.

One day, people will be able to buy tickets to visit space.

I'm Chinese-American, of course, and so it's very interesting to see China actually launch their own astronauts, becoming the third nation, following the United States and Russia, to do so.

I hope that China will continue with space exploration. It would be logical to have international co-operation. I hope that it will come about and that I can be involved in it.

I loved flying as much as I thought I would and continue to fly aircraft.

As commander I was responsible for the overall success of the mission, and so I had to know at least a little bit about everything.

Space is very unforgiving business

Tinkering is something we need to know how to do in order to keep something like the space station running. I am a tinkerer by nature.

My running ambition is to keep doing it until I'm way past the point where I have any business running. Just to keep doing it throughout my whole life—to stay fit and feel good.

Of course, you'll have to meet the physical and psychological demands. A space walk takes a lot of energy.

I don't do hurry I don't do worry.

The whole business is built on ego, vanity, self-satisfaction, and it's total crap to pretend it's not.

I'm a human being and every human being has problems.

There'll be time enough for counting when the dealing's done.

You don't need to be accepted by everyone else to get reaccepted by the one who made you.

Power comes from the muzzle of a gun, those that have the guns have the power, those that have the power dictate what type of government their shall be.

Perhaps the only institution more puffed-up and self-important than academia is government.

Men are idolaters, and want something to look at and kiss and hug, or throw themselves down before; they always did, they always will; and if you don't make it of wood, you must make it of words.

The present is our future past, we've gotta make this moment last

Collaboration is no longer painful - or precious.