Space shuttle astronaut arrested at OIA on attempted kidnapping, battery charges

Orlando Sentinel ^ | February 5, 2007 | Henry Pierson Curtis

[burzum]

A NASA astronaut is charged with attacking her rival for another astronaut's attention early Monday at Orlando International Airport, the Orlando Sentinel has learned.

Lisa Marie Nowak drove from Texas to meet the 1 a.m. flight of a younger woman who had also been seeing the male astronaut Nowak pined for, according to Orlando police.

Nowak -- who was a mission specialist on a Discovery launch last summer -- was wearing a trench coat and wig and had a knife, BB pistol, rubber tubing and plastic bags, reports show. Once U.S. Air Force Capt. Colleen Shipman arrived, Nowak followed her to the airport's Blue Lot for long-term parking, tried to get into Shipman's car and doused her with pepper spray, according to reports.

[ccmay]

What is wrong with Naval Academy graduates?

Nothing really; org is probably a ground-pounder making a joke.

-ccm

[an amused spectator]

Try staying awake 4 or more days straight. Things start getting a little strange.

I did the 48 hours thing once. Yes, it does get strange.

[skeptoid]

And if you watch that take closely, Slim actually said 'Dallas' but they dubbed in 'Vegas' IMHO.

[Rte66]

Adrenaline junkies, with a need for speed - possibly in more ways than one, in this case.

[higgmeister]

"...The next morning I may find myself laying on my back in a motion-base simulator of the shuttle in vertical launch position, waiting for liftoff,”

Don't touch it!

[an amused spectator]

Nice catch.

[Constantine XIII]

Nah, the Rooskies got that one a long time ago. ^_^

[Al Simmons]

"Best for all if she just retires from the Navy and gets on with life."

RETIRES from the Navy? Try this on for size: civilian felony conviction followed by an Under Other Than Honorable Conditions Discharge. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.

Now, granted, she IS a chick, AND a HOT CHICK, so its possible she gets to retire at a lower rank.

But if it were you or I, we'd be toast. I've seen flyers (male) do some pretty stupid things in my time as a JAG in the USAF, but this one takes the cake.

The only thing working in her favor is that she is manifestly a mental case who cracked under pressure.

Now this might merit a discussion as to whether chicks are more likely to crack under this kind of pressure and therefore whether they belong in traditional male professions like warfighting in the first place - or was it that time of month?

Nah. Not gonna go there.

OK, one more thing - guys do dumb things like have affairs with married chicks, or they are married, or its a chick in the chain of command.

Chicks, when they go off the deep end, just go nuts. Remember that Army nurse Colonel who was court-martialed for threatening and pistol-whipping her lesbian live-in lover a few years ago?

That one was so-so, but this one is a babe, so the interest will definitely be higher. Let's just say that everyone involved in this mess (except maybe the green 2LT whose picture I am still waiting for!!!) winds up with egg on her face. Especially NASA.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

I wonder if her husband plans to go get her out of the slammer...

[Doctor Raoul]

"I've been to two picnics and a state fair, and that is the stupidest thing I ever heard over a headset.".

I've been to two picnics and a state fair, and this beats anything I ever ate, , smoked, drank, slept in or stepped in.

[Rte66]

And there was Diane Zamora. She's a lot younger than this astronaughty lady, though. She was at USNA in 1995 and Nowak was there in 1985.

[Al Simmons]

That's a High School or college picture, dude. Let's see a new one. Plus you don't see what those rock-hard physiques can look like in the chick military.

I have and do.

[an amused spectator]

I'm for legalization of marijuana, decriminalization and medicalization of almost everything else, and the death penalty for all dealers of any quantity of methamphetamine on the first offense.

Come on, don't be coy - tell us what you REALLY think about meth...

[Williams]

The diapers were not just a convenience, she obviously planned to murder the other woman, and she did not want any witnesses to her trip.

[Tawiskaro]

I don't know about the tubing. Strangulation? Diapers can be used to sop up urine, but they can easily sop up blood, too. I wonder if dismemberment wasn't part of the plan. Is there a detective in the house?

[Krankor]

[gcruse]

Anyone who can look at her resume and call 'affirmative action' is a pathetic troglodyte.

[Williams]

She was going to abduct her with the bb gun as a fake weapon, tie her up and kill her.

[Al Simmons]

Its the detailed evidence of her preparation of this act, premeditation, and the strong indication that she intended to potentially kill the younger chick with the mallet and other tools that is going to really tube her in trial.

I tell you what, she is one lucky ***ch if she gets tried by the civilians.

If she were court-martialed, we'd be talking Ft Leavenworth material here. You can't sweep this one under the rug. Every single officer on that court-martial panel (once the case was proved beyond a reasonable doubt) would be PRETTY pissed off at her. And I don't think her looks would help.

She is DAMN LUCKY that she will probably be tried by the civvies...if they waive jurisdiction to the Navy (which they probably won't do because of the high-profile of the case), she will be TOAST...

[Doctor Raoul]

The police report says she spent the night at a motel and paid cash. I'd bet likewise for gas.