24th Space Shuttle Mission

7th Flight of Columbia

Crew:

Robert L. Gibson, Commander

Charles F. Bolden, Jr., Pilot

Franklin R. Chang-Diaz, Mission Specialist

Steven A. Hawley, Mission Specialist

George D. Nelson, Mission Specialist

Robert J. Cenker, Payload Specialist

U.S. Representative Bill Nelson, Payload Specialist

The mission carried America's second civilian observer, U.S. Representative Bill Nelson (D-Florida). Nelson acted as a Payload Specialist and Congressional Observer.