What was it like to go on a spacewalk? What does it actually feel like?
When you first get into space, you’re inside the cabin inside the spacecraft. You get to do your job, but you’re wearing regular clothes. You are floating, which is really cool, and when you look through the window it’s magnificent. It’s kind of like looking through the glass of an aquarium. When you go on a spacewalk, you’re kind of like a scuba diver, interacting with the environment. You truly feel like a spaceman.
It wasn’t like when I was in the spaceship with other people; I was the only guy in the spacesuit. I was out there in space by myself, with my own life-support system, and I could look anywhere I wanted. I could look and see the planet from where Hubble is. I thought this would be the view from heaven. But then, I thought, it was more beautiful than that. It was like looking into a paradise. The brightness of the Sun when you leave the atmosphere… Wow! There it is! It looks just like a star. And it’s bright, really bright. It’s the brightest bright I’ve ever experienced. Getting to see the planet and the stars on a spacewalk was truly an incredible experience.