A featured character is Samantha Stratton, an astronaut. She was referenced in the original Quantum Leap (1989) pilot episodes Genesis: Part 1 - September 13, 1956 (1989) & Genesis: Part 2 - September 13, 1956 (1989). Sam, as Tom Stratton, prevented Tom's wife, Peg, from going into premature labor with Samantha.
Susan Diol reprises her role as Beth Calavicci from the original Quantum Leap (1989) episodes M.I.A. - April 1, 1969 (1990) and Mirror Image - August 8, 1953 (1993). She is the first actor from the original show to appear playing the same character in the revival.
The closest real life mission to the one described on this episode would be STS-88, which was flown by the Endeavour, delivered Unity to the ISS, and was completed without incident.
Georgina Reilly who plays Janis Calavicci was born in 1986. If Janis was born in 1986 too then her father Al would've been 52 years old at the time.
Space Shuttle Atlantis had no missions in 1998.