Astronauts spend months, even years, waiting for the day they get to fly. And when it’s their turn, they can feel on top of the world—but it certainly didn’t work that well on my third mission, STS-45. We were taken for granted, to say the least. We were but a speed bump on the road to another telegenic space mission.

But, dear explorer, there are a few insights from the experience you might ponder.

In this episode, you’ll hear about my experience before our flight for the STS-45 mission with Space Shuttle Atlantis. I explain what it means to be an astronaut “prime crew” member and describe how media buzz for the STS-49 overshadowed the STS-45 mission. I also share the friendly banter we had with the STS-49 crew and underscore what you can do whenever you feel undervalued or unappreciated.

“Being irked by people discounting you is quite natural, as is wanting to take them down a notch and show them they’re wrong. But if you decide to act on that, take some care with how you go about it.”

 - Kathy Sullivan

This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:

●     Becoming an astronaut prime crew member

●     The ATLAS-1 laboratory aboard STS-45 Space Shuttle Atlantis

●     The STS-49 mission and the media attention it garnered

●     Why the STS-45 mission was considered boring in comparison to STS-49

●     Our banter with the STS-49 prime crew and the lessons we can learn from it

Our Favorite Quotes:

●     “Your identity is yours alone, and your worth is set by your character and deeds—not anybody else\'s words.” - Kathy Sullivan

●     “Don’t let people who know nothing about you—whether TV journalists or faceless keyboard warriors—tell you or make you believe that you’re less than you are” - Kathy Sullivan

●     “The truth is, you can’t be cavalier about any space flight, regardless of the PR appeal.” - Kathy Sullivan

Spaceship Not Required

I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.

I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.

In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.

Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.

Visit my website at kathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!

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