Alan G. Poindexter Quotes, Alan Goodwin “Dex” Poindexter, born November 5, 1961, in Pasadena, California, and died July 1, 2012, was an American naval officer and NASA astronaut. A veteran of two space shuttle missions, STS-122 (2008) and STS-131 (2010), he logged over 669 hours in space, contributing to the International Space Station’s construction. A naval aviator and test pilot with over 4,000 flight hours and 450 carrier landings, Poindexter grew up in a Navy family, considering Rockville, Maryland, his hometown. These 15 quotes—sourced from his interviews, NASA records, and public statements—reflect his insights on space exploration, risk, teamwork, and personal growth, infused with his adventurous and reflective spirit.
15 Alan G. Poindexter Quotes
- “I feel privileged and honored to have flown. It’s been a tremendous ride, looking back on the legacy and accomplishments, like the Hubble telescope and the launching of the International Space Station in 1998.”
- “I’m really hopeful about the future of space exploration and human spaceflight. Civilization as we know it has been defined by exploration. We need to go off and find out what’s around the next corner and what’s just beyond what we already know.”
- “Moving around a lot allows you to experience many different cultures and learn about the ways that different people in different parts of the country live.”
- “Volarizing in space is risky. It will never be safe, and the best thing we can do is manage those risks.”
- “My job during the EVAs, the spacewalks, is to act as the inside coordinator. I remain on the aft flight deck of the shuttle, and I act in a manner to help the gentlemen outside, my fellow crewmates, who are performing the EVA tasks.”
- “I grew up in a Navy family, and like most service families, we traveled a lot and moved a lot. I grew up on both coasts and in the suburbs of Washington, DC, in Rockville, Maryland, and have had a great time doing it.”
- “I was a typical American kid. I did lots of outdoor activities, played a lot outside with my friends, loved to go the beach, liked to hike, and boating and fishing, and I flew a lot of model airplanes.”
- “I was influenced by many, many different people in my student years, and I was always, I guess, immersed in a Navy environment, and it obviously had a big impact when I decided what I wanted to do was go and be a Navy pilot.”
- “It probably made me somewhat more adventuresome and allowed me to meet my future wife in Pensacola.”
- “I flew fighters for the Navy in San Diego for three years, went and did my post-graduate education, and then I was a test pilot in Patuxent River, Maryland, for a few years.”
- “You have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.” (Interview, NASA Preflight Interview, 2010)
- “The space station is a team effort, and every person on the ground and in space plays a critical role in its success.” (Interview, NASA, 2008)
- “Risk is part of exploration. We manage it, but we don’t eliminate it, because discovery requires stepping into the unknown.” (Speech, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, 2012)
- “Flying in space teaches you to appreciate the fragility of our planet and the importance of working together.” (Interview, Space.com, 2010)
- “Every mission is a chance to push the boundaries of what we believe is possible.” (Interview, Kennedy Space Center, 2010)
Alan G. Poindexter’s quotes are a dynamic blend of optimism, teamwork, and a passion for exploration, inspiring fans to embrace risk, value collaboration, and pursue discovery. Which quote fuels your sense of adventure? Share it below and keep Poindexter’s astronaut legacy thriving!
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