The episode contains the series-recurrent 1970s song "Car Wash" - this time sung by Zane Donovan.
The origami cranes test is actually used by the Japanese space agency.
At the end, Fargo tells Carter, "Let's blast these things and go home." This is a tip of the hat to Han Solo who, in STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE, told Luke, "Let's blast this thing and go home."
While doing the Astraeus stress test, Dr Parrish (Will Wheaton) says to Jo, "No doubt the lack of ab crunches and dead lifts disappoints you, Number One." While this is referring to the fact that Lupo's Astraeus jersey had the number '1' on it, it's likely a reference to Captain Picard referring to First Officer Commander Riker as 'Number One' on STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION.Will Wheaton starred on ST:TNG as Wesley Crusher.
The title Of Mites and Men is a play on the title of the 1937 John Steinbeck book Of Mice and Men.