NASA to Look At Screening Of Astronauts

"We were taken by surprise by events in Florida," Dale said, adding that Johnson Deputy Director Robert D. Cabana "did not see any indications of concern" regarding Nowak. "Having said that, we want to know if there was something we missed along the way."

Dale also said several times that since the astronaut corps was formed more than 4 1/2 decades ago, its members have consistently performed extremely well and have led admirable lives. Nowak is the first active-duty astronaut to be accused of a felony, officials have said.

Nowak, who grew up in Rockville, recently separated from her husband of 19 years, her parents said in a statement. "Personally, Lisa is an extremely caring and dedicated mother to her three children," the statement read. "Considering both her personal and professional life, these alleged events are completely out of character and have come as a tremendous shock to our family."

Dale said Nowak, who could be imprisoned for years if she is found guilty, has been taken off "flight status" and put on a 30-day leave. She said Oefelein remains on active flight status.

Officials at NASA worked hard yesterday keep its astronauts and workforce focused on their missions -- including a space shuttle flight scheduled for next month. Johnson Space Center Director Michael L. Coats called an unusual meeting with the entire astronaut team.

"We have humans in space right now," Cabana said. "We have a real challenge here with the missions in front of us."

Late on Tuesday, Shipman filed a petition for a protective order against Nowak, who she said had broken into her e-mail account and possibly had been stalking her for two months. In the handwritten petition, Shipman described Nowak as an "acquaintance of boyfriend." Earlier, police said Nowak told them she and Oefelein had something "more than a working relationship but less than a romantic relationship" and said they had found a letter in Nowak's car indicating her love for Oefelein.

Nowak's home is in Clear Lake City, which surrounds the Johnson Center, at the end of a cul-de-sac on a well-manicured street of two-story red-brick "traditional"-style houses. Oefelein lives almost eight miles southeast in a modest and slightly worn gated apartment complex called Pirates Landing in the community of Seabrook, overlooking Kemah Bay. Oefelein's ex-wife, Michaella, lives almost 14 miles west of him in the suburb of Friendswood, a community popular with NASA employees.

Staff writer Sylvia Moreno in Houston contributed to this report.