While Hoffman says he's not scared by the possibility of an accident his mother says that she "is naturally apprehensive and nervous about it," and especially anxious about the prospect of her son's first launch into the void of space

"Whether I could keep my eyes open watching that thing blast off, knowing that Jeff is inside of it. I don't really know," Elizabeth Hoffman adds, recalling that "he never seemed like a real daredevil type" and was "basically very quiet and scholarly" as a youngster

Although Hoffman's wife Barbara says she gets seasick very easily, she is not fearful of her husband's future travel plans

"Actually, this is probably one of the safest things that he has ever done." Mrs. Hoffman says, noting that her husband is an avid mountain climber and has climbed some of the more challenging slopes in Europe. He also enjoys sailing and windsurfing, and, during the winter months, cross-country and downhill skiing.

He also stays fit on a daily basis, bicycling the seven miles round trip between his home and the Space Flight Center.

Barbara Hoffman says her husband is not a workaholic and keeps his work week to about 40 hours, unless there's a flight. She adds that he divides his time very well between his work and family life--spending time with their two sons, ages three and seven.

Hoffman says it is hard to imagine being an astronaut forever, but that at the moment, he is in an ideal position: as an astronomer, he may one day be able to observe space from space, where the atmosphere-free environment provides the best possible view of the cosmos. Although there is no guarantee that he will have such an opportunity. Hoffman says at least that he "fully expects" to spend the rest of his life as a research scientist. Although he won't commit himself to the possibility of serving as an astronomer on some future space station. Barbara Hoffman says, "I know he would go." Asked if she would join him there, she adds, "I can't see myself wanting to do that."

Like his colleagues in the space business. Hoffman is firmly committed to the future: "The biggest challenge we have now is to learn how to fly [the shuttle], fly it well, and have it become routine," he says, adding that the opportunity to help meet that challenge is well worth the wait.

"I wouldn't trade it for anything." He says