Davis: I used to be lucky sufficient to be employed (at NASA) as an engineer in 1979, earlier than the area shuttle flew in ’81. They had been making an attempt to ramp up folks to work on not solely the shuttle, but in addition issues that flew on the shuttle, which is why I labored on the Hubble Area Telescope, which was superb. 

That they had simply chosen the primary group of astronauts to fly within the area shuttle in 1978: 35 astronauts, of which there have been six ladies. So for the primary time, the astronauts weren’t solely navy take a look at pilots, but in addition engineers, medical doctors, scientists. Individuals who would work on the area shuttle as mission specialists. That opened everybody’s eyes as to the alternatives to change into an astronaut. Earlier than that point, the navy take a look at pilots had been all male. Now we had a chance for ladies, and different civilians, and different skilled disciplines.

I did not actually give it some thought (being an astronaut) at that time, once I began working for NASA, however then when the subsequent class was chosen in 1980 it had two ladies. Somebody mentioned to me, “Why do not you consider that?” And to me, it appeared actually far-fetched. I am like, “Wow, me. How’s that going to occur?” However I regarded into it. It seems about that point I used to be already in graduate faculty. My background was what they had been searching for, and I knew that I wanted to maintain going to highschool to get my graduate levels. 

I additionally had the chance to swim with astronauts within the Impartial Buoyancy Area Simulator (a big pool for practising spacewalks) right here in Huntsville, at Marshall Area Flight Middle. They had been coaching astronauts on Hubble there. Since I used to be engaged on the Hubble, I used to be allowed to swim as a diver with these astronauts who’re doing their extravehicular exercise (EVA, or spacewalk) coaching. I requested them what else can I do to enhance my probabilities, and mainly, I used to be doing issues that they advisable: take flying classes, and hold going to highschool, and hold working your finest at your job

NASA had this implausible program — actually the federal government, not simply NASA — the place they might pay you to go to highschool. In order that they not solely paid your tuition, however they paid your wage for a 12 months of full-time examine, which for me turned out to be a 12 months and a half. That is how I used to be in a position to get my PhD. After I obtained the decision to be interviewed the primary time [that I applied as an astronaut], that was an actual motivator. That they had 5,000 candidates and so they solely interviewed 128. So, being a type of 128, I used to be like, “Wow, perhaps that is attainable. Perhaps there’s an opportunity I can do that.” 

I wasn’t chosen that 12 months, in 1984, nevertheless it made me buckle down and end that PhD, after which do different issues I believed may assist much more. Within the meantime, in 1986, after all, the Challenger [space shuttle disaster that killed seven astronauts] occurred. It put a halt to all the things, together with my hopes of being an astronaut. I believed that wasn’t going to occur, as a result of the stable rocket boosters that brought on the accident had been managed by Marshall Area Flight Middle. I did not suppose there was any probability that anybody at Marshall would ever be chosen. 

However I used to be put accountable for part of the redesign: not the O-ring half, however a special a part of the boosters, for return to flight. I targeting that, considering that I did not have an opportunity of being chosen, so I would as properly give attention to that [my job]. That is what I did. However then I obtained the decision in 1987 to be interviewed, and that is the 12 months I used to be chosen.