This was the fifth dedicated Spacelab mission and the first devoted to life sciences, using the habitable module. Primary experiments studied six body systems, involving humans, rodents and jellyfish. Other payloads included experiments in materials science, plant biology, and cosmic radiation. Research was also conducted on Orbiter acceleration.!
Front row, left to right: Payload Specialist F. Drew Gaffney, Born: 1947, Bkgrnd: NASA scientist. Education: doctorate of medicine.
Payload Specialist Millie Hughes-Fulford, Born: 1945, Bkgrnd: Cellular research for a university system and NASA. Education: doctorate in chemistry.
Mission Specialist Rhea Seddon, DOB: 11/8/47, Bkgrnd: Flew on 51-D. Education: doctorate of medicine.
Mission Specialist James Bagian, DOB: 2/22/52, Bkgrnd: NASA flight surgeon. Mission specialist on STS-29. Education: B.S. in mechanical engineering; doctorate of medicine.
Back row, left to right: Commander Bryan O'Connor, DOB: 9/6/46, Bkgrnd: Col., USMC. Pilot on 61-B. Education: M.S. in aeronautical systems.
Mission Specialist Tamara Jernigan, DOB: 5/7/59, Bkgrnd: NASA research. Mission specialist on STS-52. Education: Ph.D in space physics and astronomy.
Pilot Sidney Gutierrez, DOB: 6/27/51, Bkgrnd: Lt. Col., USAF. Test pilot and master parachutist. Education: M.A. in management.!
5 June 1991 9:24 a.m. EDT
Launch was originally scheduled for 22 May but postponed due to a leak in the fuel system. After repairs and testing, launch was set for 1 June. However, it was postponed again due to mechanical problems and reset for 5 June.!
