US News
Love triangle astronaut fired from NASA elite corps (Roundup)
Mar 7, 2007, 20:55 GMT
Washington - US astronaut Lisa Nowak, whose jealousy in a love-triangle involving a space colleague has made headlines for weeks, Wednesday was dropped from NASA's elite team.
The US Navy captain's 'detail' as a NASA astronaut 'has been terminated' effective Thursday, according to a statement posted on the NASA official website.
Nowak, 43, who participated in her first shuttle mission last year, has been charged with battery and attempted kidnapping in an Orlando, Florida, court after she attacked her rival for the affections of fellow astronaut William Oefelein.
The victim of the attack, Colleen Shipman, is also a military officer but not in the astronaut corps.
'NASA requested an end to the detail because the agency lacks the administrative means to deal appropriately with the criminal charges pending against Nowak,' the statement said.
Nowak is a naval officer on assignment to NASA, and will remain in the US Navy which is expected to make her next assignment.
According to police charges, Nowak drove nearly 1,450 kilometres from Houston, Texas, wearing a diaper to eliminate restroom breaks in a race to intercept Shipman at an Orlando airport, police charge.
The astronaut wore a disguise and followed Shipman to her car, where she slapped at the windows and demanded to be let in. She asked for a ride and to use a cell phone before spraying Shipman with pepper spray through the car's window.
Shipman was able to drive away and get help.
Police later saw Nowak throw away a trench coat, a wig and a BB pistol. She was also carrying a steel mallet, a 10-centimetre folding knife, rubber tubing, plastic garbage bags and 600 dollars.
Nowak, who is married and has three children, told police she was in an extramarital relationship with Oefelein.
Police dropped attempted murder charges against Nowak last week.
Nowak flew her first shuttle mission in July 2006 on the Discovery flight to the International Space Station, where she operated a remote arm during spacewalks. She had been with NASA since 1996 and served in mission control, the operations planning and astronaut robotics branches.
At the time of her arrest in early February, Nowak was placed on 30-day leave.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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Older Talkback
page: 1
Totally agree with Mark.
Yup, I also think Mark's comments are right on target.
I don't agree with Mark.
Nothing should happen William Oefelein.
Since when does someone need to get fired because their girlfriend went crazy.
I guess all you posters must have perfect lives wacking off at home by yourself.
All 3 will probably be eased out of the military; they're a little more gentle with officers than they are with enlisted personnel, but when anyone gets into these kinds of shenanigans (especially this high profile), they're pretty much gone. This is exactly why so many workplaces forbid (or strongly discourage) workplace affairs.
William Oefelein should be terminated for engaging in an extra-marital affai
WELL, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE! Everyone knows that 'LUST IN SPACE' is a challenge for any threesome, and suitable for a Noble Peace prize for Raunchy Physics in Space, at the very least!
As for me, if Bo Derek comes to my back kitchen door this morning, calling my name and demanding a moment of passion, I'm going to open that door! Thank Yew!
She should have been fired immediately from her position at NASA and given dishonorable discharge from the service as well. She's violated a sacred trust with her family and caused them needless pain and embarassment; disgraced her uniform; disgraced her country; and showed the ultimate disrespect for fellow women who have had to struggle so many decades to earn the right and opportunity to be astronauts.
Oelefin also should be dishonorably dishcarged. Certainly his actions show that he lacks a sufficient understanding of what honor means and has a fundamental lack of respect for the sanctity of marriage by engaging in a relationship with this woman.
NASA has always set high standards, and they're a unique gem as far as programs go. They have enough outside issues, i.e. funding, finding qualified people to fill positions, etc to work through just to maintain the program moving forward. They don't need to have to fight this kind of abject stupidity from within.
They should both be sentenced to be made to wear diapers for the rest of their lives. LOL.
This could be a blessing in disguise for her. Maybe she'll sign a lucrative endorsement deal with Pampers.
All three of these people should be discharged from the military. Don't see a lot of integrity from any of them. In a statement Shipment made to police she said Oefelein told her he was having an affair with a girl he works with but they didn't tell anyone because she was married. If Shipman had an ounce of brains she would have dumped this goofy man soon as he told her that. Guess Oefelein thought it was ok to go behind another man's back and ding his wife for three years as long as no one knew.
From the e-mails, Oefelein was going on trips with his astronaut team, and taking Shipman along as entertainment while NASA was footing the bill for her airfare too. He is taking advantage of whatever he can get government expense. All are sick puppies and need to go. NASA is having trouble enough getting funds just to stay afloat.
page: 1
MarkMar 7th, 2007 - 22:02:43
Its about time. She should have been canned immediately--- and frankly, so should astronaut William Oefelein. The entire stupid affair is just about as prone for trouble as it gets--- unprofessional and completely out of line. Astronaut William Oefelein is a cad and dangerous--- for the space agency and for the U.S. Navy. His airforce officer 'girl friend' is a silly blonde and just as dangerous for the U.S. Airforce. Dishonorable discharge for the whole lot of them. What a silly stupid disgrace.
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