STS-42 Mission Patch

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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 Specia list 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. Show more