spacetoday.net: NASA to review astronaut psychological testing

Posted: Thu, Feb 8, 2007, 8:12 AM ET (1312 GMT)
NASA leaders said Wednesday that they agency will review how it screens potential astronauts and reviews the mental health of active astronauts in the wake of the Lisa Nowak scandal. While astronaut applicants receive extensive psychological tests before selection, they do not receive regular testing once they are astronauts, even while they are required to take regular physical exams. NASA plans to review this policy to see what steps can be taken to better identify any mental health problems astronauts may be encountering. Nowak, arrested in Orlando early Monday and charged with attempted murder of a woman she deemed to be a romantic rival, returned to Houston on Wednesday. She has been placed on 30-day administrative leave by NASA while an investigation continues.