Shuttle-Mir Stories

Astronaut Andy Thomas passes through the airlock.

Thomas on Mir Experience

In his Oral History, U.S. Mir astronaut Andy Thomas talks about his Mir experience.

He says, "I had a repertoire of science experiments and some engineering things to do, but I would have to say, for me . . . the primary focus . . . was the personal experience.

"I knew this was going to be a very difficult experience. Mike Foale described it as the toughest thing he'd ever done in his life. I could well believe that, and I knew that it's not the kind of experience that everyone can do. . . .

"So my personal goal was to make this a good experience for me at a personal level and a professional level. If the personal rewards were there, I knew that I would have no trouble fulfilling the professional and programmatic requirements.

"So my goal was that I would be able to look back on this in June, after the landing, and say, 'That was a good experience. I'm glad that worked. I made that work, and I'm glad I did it.' And that was the focus of a lot of my energies during the flight."

Related Links:
Thomas Increment
Profile: Andy Thomas
Andy Thomas Oral History (PDF)

 

Text only version available

This page is best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher or Netscape 4.0 or higher.
Other viewing suggestions.

NASA Web Policy

NASA
Curator: Kim Dismukes
Responsible NASA Official: John Ira Petty

 

PSINet logo

 

Welcome | History | Science | Spacecraft | People | References | Multimedia | Home | Search | Tours | Site Map