." When I was actually about 16 or even 17, I encountered this publication by Arthur C. Clarke got in touch with Room Odyssey 2001. That was actually the 1st sci-fi manual that I have actually ever checked out. I was just so recorded by what he had written considering that things that he covered weren't [occurring] in the far future, however in the year 2001. In the book, he talks about a whole lot about spaceport station, and also space shuttles that go up to the spaceport station, and lorries that head to the Moon or even the Moon center, plus all that. I indicate, these are phrases that you listen to today continuously, right? As Well As Arthur C. Clarke in fact imagined it back then. So that interested me. I really hoped that one day I can work on one thing like that." In conditions of my education and learning, I was actually going to go into the area design, however then an individual advised me that mechanical design would certainly offer me a broader history. So I followed the advise, and also it was actually the best point to accomplish. I found yourself knowing a whole lot of things, certainly not merely mechanical design however additionally a whole lot concerning electrical design and units engineering concurrently." ... After that an option possessed NASA. It was at that opportunity that they began referring to the space station. Ronald Reagan during that time was the Head of state, and also he suggested this initiative to build the space station. Back then, he called the space station 'Flexibility.'." I assumed, 'Wow, what an amazing concept it would be excellent if I can work with that.'." And also of course, a single thing led to another, and also [I wound up working on the International Space Station.] So you never recognize what you are actually heading to end up carrying out." I care about coexistence often. The many things that you perform, somehow, result in your last place. Some invisible powers drive you during that instructions. When you recall, you realize that every thing fits together.".-- Douglas Wong, Unit Engineer, ISS CRS Visiting Car Safety & Objective Guarantee Integration Focal, NASA's Johnson Area Facility.Picture Debt: NASA/Bill StaffordInterviewer: NASA/Thalia Patrinos.Have a look at some of our other Faces of NASA..