Astronaut love triangle

last updated 8 January 2015

Orlando

A NASA astronaut was charged this week with attempted murder after a bizarre confrontation with her rival for the affections of another astronaut, police said. Astronaut Lisa Nowak, 43, was released on bail after allegedly shooting pepper spray at Air Force Capt. Colleen Shipman, who police say is romantically involved with astronaut Bill Oefelein, a Navy commander and space shuttle pilot. A married mother of three, Nowak reportedly told police that her relationship with Oefelein was “more than a working relationship, but less than a romantic relationship.” After she found e-mails between Oefelein and Shipman and learned that Shipman was flying from Houston to Orlando, police said, Nowak drove from Houston to Orlando, wearing a diaper so she would not have to take any rest stops. She located Shipman at the airport parking lot, and allegedly doused her with pepper spray. Police say Nowak intended to kidnap and kill Shipman. “Murder was the plan,” said prosecutor Amanda Cowan. Shipman managed to drive away, and Nowak was arrested nearby. Nowak, who flew aboard the shuttle Discovery last summer, pleaded innocent.