"I could have landed in the desert, but then I would have had to walk barefoot."

"Looking at the earth from a far you realize it is too small for conflict and just big enough for co-operation."

"The Earth is very beautiful. I could see the continents clearly, the rivers, the clouds, the snow-capped mountains."

"I am full of joy and happiness. It's a great feeling to be in space."

"When they asked me to write down a farewell letter to my wife, I was a bit surprised. I thought, 'What's the hurry?'"