This ''ripped from the headlines'' episode was based on the bizarre love-triangle activities of "diaper-wearing" NASA astronaut Lisa Caputo Nowak.
There are actually two different types of steroid class drugs. The first type of steroid class drugs are anabolic steroids, which boost levels of androgen sex hormones like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Anabolic steroids are useful in treating conditions like anemia and renal insufficiency (kidney disease). Some anabolic steroid side effects--like rapid muscle growth and higher than normal energy levels--are why they are abused by some athletes. The second type of steroid class drugs are corticosteroids, which are an important component of the adrenal system. Several types of corticosteroids exist inside the body, including cortisol and cortisone. Corticosteroids also play a part in immune response and inflammation, and they can be used to treat diseases that cause an inflammation like arthritis. A common corticosteroid used for this is prednisone. It is also used to treat hypoactive adrenal systems--as in the case of Addison's disease--that cause insufficient production of adrenaline and steroid hormones like cortisol.
All anabolic steroids have the potential to cause increased aggression and mania (collectively known as "roid rage"). Nandrolone decanoate is the most widely used anabolic steroid in part because, when compared with other types of anabolic steroids, it has a weak propensity for causing the aforementioned adverse affects .
It's possible that Commander Nelson's surname was a wink at "I Dream of Jeannie", where one of the lead characters, an astronaut, was Major Tony Nelson.
This episode title is Rocketman. Tate Donovan was also in the film about Elton John Rocketman.