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NASA fires astronaut in cross-country assault case

NASA on Wednesday fired a female US astronaut who made international headlines when she was arrested for driving halfway across the country in a diaper to confront a love rival.

"US Navy Captain Lisa Nowak's detail as a NASA astronaut has been terminated, effective March 8, by mutual agreement between NASA and the US Navy," NASA said in a statement.

"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 agency said.

Last Friday Nowak was charged with attempted kidnapping, attempted burglary and battery, for confronting the girlfriend of another astronaut last month.

After Nowak, 43, and a mother of three, was arrested, police said there was "probable cause" to believe she had intended to murder her alleged rival, but she was not charged with attempted murder.

"NASA's decision to terminate Nowak's detail does not reflect any position by NASA on the criminal charges pending in Florida," the agency said.

Police said Nowak drove from Houston, Texas to Orlando, Florida to attack Colleen Shipman, wearing a diaper so she would not have to take bathroom breaks.

Nowak allegedly thought Shipman, an Air Force captain, shared her romantic interest in 41-year-old shuttle pilot Bill Oefelein.
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