Mae C. Jemison (Palmer) served as the science mission specialist on the STS-47 Spacelab J flight, which launched September 12, 1992. While in space, Jemison began each shift by informing Mission Control in Houston "Hailing frequencies open." She is a long-time Star Trek fan.
Mae C. Jemison (Palmer) has the unique distinction of being the first real astronaut to ever appear on Star Trek. She was followed by Mike Fincke and Terry Virts, who both appeared in the Star Trek: Enterprise (2001) episode These Are the Voyages... (2005).
Thomas Riker's dilapidated uniform, when he is first found, is in the style used by the Federation in Season 1. This would imply that this style of uniform was used for at least two years before the start of TNG. It would also correspond with Picard's memories of the Stargazer crew at the time of the Battle of Maxia in The Battle (1987), as well as Beverly's recollection of visiting Jack's body in Violations (1992), with both instances set in the 2350s, well before Riker's visit to Nervala IV.
This is the first Star Trek series episode to be directed by LeVar Burton (Geordi La Forge), who received much praise for coping well with the difficulties of filming an episode with so many complex visual effects. He went on to direct The Pegasus (1994) as well as many episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993), Star Trek: Voyager (1995) and Star Trek: Enterprise (2001).
Dr. Mae C. Jemison is the leader of the 100 Year Starship Initiative, which seeks the launch of an interstellar voyage within the next 100 years. LeVar Burton serves on the group's advisory committee.
Mae C. Jemison: the first African-American woman in space and a friend of Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura of the original Star Trek (1966)), appears as transporter chief Lieutenant Palmer. Nichols visited the set during filming of Jemison's scenes.