NASA considers sending scientists to International Space Station: report

NASA is considering sending "hyper-specialized" scientists to the International Space Station to work alongside career astronauts. The idea is by no means new, as NASA used to fly payload specialists assigned to specific space shuttle experiments in the early 1980s, notably including three-time spaceflyer Charlie Walker on behalf of his employer, McDonnell Douglas. Payload specialist requirements were changed, however, when the Challenger launch disaster of 1986 killed seven crew members and shifted NASA safety protocols. More

(Source: Space.com - Jul 21)