The Story
45th Space Shuttle Mission
14th Flight of Discovery
Crew:
Ronald J. Grabe, Commander
Stephen S. Oswald, Pilot
Norman E. Thagard, Mission Specialist
David C. Hilmers, Mission Specialist
William F. Readdy, Mission Specialist
Roberta L. Bondar, Payload Specialist
Ulf D. Merbold, Payload Specialist
The primary payload was the International Microgravity Laboratory-1 (IML-1), making its first flight and using the pressurized Spacelab module. The International crew was divided into two teams for around-the-clock research on the human nervous system’s adaptation to low gravity and the effects of microgravity on other life forms such as shrimp eggs, lentil seedlings, fruit fly eggs, and bacteria. Materials processing experiments were also conducted, including crystal growth from variety of substances such as enzymes, mercury iodide and a virus. On flight day six, mission managers concluded enough onboard consumables remained to extend the mission one day to continue science experiments.
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Description
45th Space Shuttle Mission
14th Flight of Discovery
Crew:
Ronald J. Grabe, Commander
Stephen S. Oswald, Pilot
Norman E. Thagard, Mission Specialist
David C. Hilmers, Mission Specialist
William F. Readdy, Mission Specialist
Roberta L. Bondar, Payload Specialist
Ulf D. Merbold, Payload Specialist
The primary payload was the International Microgravity Laboratory-1 (IML-1), making its first flight and using the pressurized Spacelab module. The International crew was divided into two teams for around-the-clock research on the human nervous system’s adaptation to low gravity and the effects of microgravity on other life forms such as shrimp eggs, lentil seedlings, fruit fly eggs, and bacteria. Materials processing experiments were also conducted, including crystal growth from variety of substances such as enzymes, mercury iodide and a virus. On flight day six, mission managers concluded enough onboard consumables remained to extend the mission one day to continue science experiments.
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