 Van den Berg and his colleagues designed the EG & G Vapor Crystal Growth System experiment apparatus for a Space Shuttle flight . The experiment required an in @-@ flight operator and NASA decided that it would be easier to train a crystal growth scientist to become an astronaut , than it would be the other way around . NASA asked EG & G and Van den Berg to compile a list of eight people who would qualify to perform the science experiments in space and to become a Payload Specialist . Van den Berg and his chief , Dr. Harold A. <unk> could only come up with seven names . <unk> subsequently proposed adding Van den Berg to the list , joking with Van den Berg that due to his age , huge glasses and little strength , he would probably be dropped during the first selection round ; but at least they would have eight names . Van den Berg agreed to be added to the list , but didn 't really consider himself being selected to be a realistic scenario . 
