Mission specialist (MS) is a specific position held by astronauts who are tasked with conducting a range of scientific, medical, or engineering experiments during a spaceflight mission. These specialists were usually assigned to a specific field of expertise that was related to the goals of the particular mission they were assigned to.
Mission specialists were highly trained individuals who underwent extensive training in preparation for their missions. They were required to have a broad range of skills, including knowledge of science and engineering, as well as experience in operating complex equipment in a zero-gravity environment.