The tragic destruction of the space shuttle Columbia has deeply affected people all over the world. But for one Penn State faculty member, the accident truly hit home.

James A. Pawelczyk, who earned his Masters from Penn State in 1985 and is an assistant professor of applied physiology and kinesiology, has done research for National Aeronautic and Space Administration for several years.

Most notably, Pawelczyk was an astronaut on the late space shuttle in 1998. Being an astronaut, especially one who had previously flown on the doomed shuttle, gave Pawelczyk a personal perspective on the recent tragedy.

"I felt terrible for the victims," Pawelczyk said.

"Complete shock was the best way to explain [his reaction]" said Michael Curren (graduate-physiology), who was with Pawelczyk when he found out about the accident. "He jumped up, ran to the TV to turn it on, and said, 'You're kidding me.'"

Curren said Pawelczyk talked very fondly about the crewmembers and NASA in general.

"What you've been hearing on the news is all true," Pawelczyk said. "These were great people."

Astronauts are aware of the dangers of space flight, he said. "The idea that something like this could happen, every astronaut knows," he said. "All astronauts choose to accept the risk. You must do the job as you are intended to do."

Despite the risks and recent safety criticisms leveled against NASA, Pawelczyk said he believes today's shuttle program is not unsafe. Shuttle flights should continue, once NASA discovers what went wrong on the Columbia and the problem is fixed, Pawelczyk said.

"We still have people in space. We have a commitment to them," he said. "There is a chance that you will get into an accident every time you get into a car. If this happens, do you stop driving?" he said.

NASA should continue looking for new and better ways to get into space, while continuing to use established technology, he said.

Public criticism that NASA is a drain on government funding, especially in light of the Columbia disaster, is unwarranted, Pawelczyk said. NASA makes up only three-fourths of a percent of the federal budget, while 20 percent is spent on defense, he added.

Several technological advances we have today are a result of NASA's astronaut program, Pawelczyk pointed out.

"Try to imagine what our society would be like without human space flight," he said.

Pawelczyk participated as a payload specialist on space flight STS-90, launched on April 17, 1998. During the mission, he conducted 26 life science experiments on the effects of micro-gravity on the brain and nervous system.

"It's fun, beautiful, busy," Pawelczyk said of his experience in space.

Pawelczyk is the first Penn State faculty member to have been in space. While he hasn't planned any future space trips, Pawelczyk continues to do research for NASA.

Students of Pawelczyk often speak fondly of him.

"Every time I walk into his lab he's got a smile on his face" said Patrick Tierney (senior-kinesiology), who is a research assistant in Pawelczyk's lab. "I couldn't have asked for a better faculty member."

Pawelczyk will make a speech on the human limits to exploring Mars at 11 a.m. Saturday in 100 Thomas.