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What is STS-90 Neurolab?

Each mission is given a number. STS-90 was the mission launched via Space Transportation System-90 on April 17, 1998.

This 16-day mission (Yikes! More than two weeks in space!) was nicknamed "Neurolab" since experiments during this mission were conducted on the "neurological system" - a fancy way of saying: your brain, spinal column, and nerves (something you need a lot of to sit on top of a rocket and blast into space!).

STS-90 Flight Crew

One of them was a Canadian Space Agency astronaut who is also a medical doctor. His name is Dafyd R. Williams but you can call him "Dave". He was chosen from among thousands of other potential astronauts for his many personal qualities and skills, which include being a medical doctor. He also flies, scuba dives, sails, and skis. (Whew!)

Dave was a Mission Specialist on the STS-90 flight. This means that he had to be trained to operate various systems onboard the shuttle. He was trained to handle the Canadarm and to "space-walk" in order to make repairs to the shuttle if necessary. Spacewalking is the easy way of saying it. The term used by astronauts is: Extra-Vehicular Activity or EVA for short.