This mission was dedicated to carrying the German Spacelab (D-1), which contained 75 experiments. Mission highlights included microgravity research in the fields of materials science, life sciences, technology, communications and navigation. A Message Relay satellite was also deployed. Scientific operations were controlled from the German Space Center in Munich.!
Front row, left to right: Payload Specialist Reinhard Furrer, DOB: 11/25/40, Background: German physicist.
Mission Specialist Bonnie Dunbar, DOB: 3/3/49, Background: Flew on STS-32 and STS-50. Education: Ph.D. in biomedical engineering.
Mission Specialist James Buchli, DOB: 6/20/45, Background: Flew on 51-C, STS-29 and STS-48. Education: M.S. in aeronautical engineering systems.
Commander Henry Hartsfield Jr., DOB: 11/21/33, Background: Piloted STS-4. Commanded 41-D. Education: M.S. in engineering science.
Back row: Pilot Steven Nagel, DOB: 10/27/46, Background: Mission Specialist on 51-G. Commander of STS-37. Education: M.S. in mechanical engineering.
Mission Specialist Guion Bluford, DOB: 11/22/42, Background: Flew on STS-8, STS-39 and STS-53. Education: M.B.A.; Ph.D. in aerospace engineering.
Payload Specialist Ernst Messerschmid, DOB: 5/21/45, Background: German physicist.