Free Republic

Buzz Aldrin said a former astronaut charged with attempted kidnapping should be ``admired'' -- but not excused -- for her resolve in allegedly confronting a romantic rival, according to a published report. Lisa Nowak was arrested in February after police said the married mother of three had driven nearly 1,000 miles to Orlando. ``Astronauts are not superhuman. They lead ordinary lives and have varied personalities,'' Aldrin said in comments published on Time magazine's Web site.

HOUSTON — Astronaut Lisa Nowak returned to Texas on Wednesday, a day after being charged in Florida with trying to murder the woman she believed was her romantic rival for a space shuttle pilot's affections.

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...