 Ms Nowak said she did not intend to harm Ms Shipman
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Posted on 02/06/2007 3:57:57 AM PST by familyop
A US astronaut has been charged with trying to kidnap a woman she thought was a rival for the affection of a space shuttle pilot.
Ms Nowak said she did not intend to harm Ms Shipman
Navy Capt Lisa Nowak, 43, who flew to the international space station last July, was charged with attempted kidnapping, battery and other crimes.
She drove from Texas to Florida to confront Colleen Shipman, disguised in a wig and trench coat.
Police said Capt Nowak, who was denied bail, used pepper spray on Ms Shipman.
The man in the love triangle was said to be Navy Cmdr William Oefelein, who was a pilot on the Discovery's mission to the space station in December.
E-mails
Police said Capt Nowak drove 1,000 miles (1,600km) from her home in Houston to Orlando International Airport, wearing a nappy to avoid a toilet break.
The arrest affidavit says Capt Nowak then followed Ms Shipman in an airport bus.
Ms Nowak and William Oefelein never flew on the same mission
Capt Nowak pursued Ms Shipman to her vehicle in the car park.
Ms Shipman locked herself in but rolled down the window when Capt Nowak began to cry, the affidavit says.
Ms Shipman was then attacked with the pepper spray, it says. She drove to a car park booth and police were called.
An officer followed Capt Nowak and she was stopped allegedly carrying the wig, an air rifle, a steel mallet and a knife.
A search of her vehicle revealed pepper spray and e-mails between Ms Shipman and Cmdr Oefelein, police said.
In the affidavit, Ms Nowak describes her attachment to Cmdr Oefelein as "more than a working relationship but less than a romantic relationship".
Capt Nowak told police she just wanted to scare her rival into talking about her relationship with Cmdr Oefelein.
Attempted kidnapping carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Nasa biographies list Capt Nowak as married with three children and Cmdr Oefelein as single with two children. The pair never flew together.
A Nasa spokesman said at present Capt Nowak's status was "unchanged". Florida's Orlando Sentinel newspaper said Ms Shipman was an engineer with the 45th Launch Support Squadron at a base close to the Kennedy Space Centre.
BINGO
Hmm good point. Did she pull a fuel trailer with her? Or did she set up caches along the route?
NASA = "Need Another Sane Astronaut"
That's sick! Everyone knows they are for watching football on Sundays...
I think people are more in shock that astronauts are actually human. Until now it was almost unthinkable that an astronaut could have any type of failing whatsoever. They were basically the model for being a perfect American--most served in the military and achieved a high rank, all have high degrees such as masters or doctorates, most are exceptional pilots, all are in great physical shape, and all are exceptionally smart and react well under pressure. Certainly they appear to be great role models. I think they still are but this incident is really going to hurt how people look at astronauts. I hope they can regain the confidence of the public.
Isn't that chick the lead singer for The Cure?
the exact same title might be a clue...
Maybe the diaper is an astronaut thing - getting to like the feel of squishing around in your own bodily waste.
"Get your hands up and give me those Jimmy Choos - or else!"
Or "psycho-screening" is complete crock'o'sh!t to start with.
This is suppose to be photos of the one and same Lisa Nowak? It looks like two totally different people to me. The picture of health vs. meth user?
Also heard on Fox this morning that the GUY IS MARRIED.
Re photo at #15: Is that cutie Katie??? It kind of looks like her.
This is so bizarre, I can't believe I'm giving it this much thought. ;-)
Let's assume Nowak was drinking a considerable amount of coffee to drive 1,000 miles nonstop at night. A gas tank must get better mileage than a bladder.
Violent, psychotic jealousy. It's not just for men any more.
Navy Captain, huhn? Wonder if this'll move her up on the Admiral list?
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