Astronaut in ‘love kidnap plot’ whilst wearing diapers

ORLANDO – An astronaut drove 1 500 kilometres and donned a wig and trench coat to confront a woman she believed was her rival for the affections of a space shuttle pilot, police said.

She was arrested Monday and charged with attempted kidnapping and other counts. US Navy Captain Lisa Nowak, 43, who flew last July on a shuttle mission to the international space station, was also charged with attempted vehicle burglary with battery, destruction of evidence and battery.She was denied bail.Police said Nowak drove from her home in Houston to the Orlando International Airport – wearing diapers so she would not have to stop to urinate – to confront Colleen Shipman.Nowak believed Shipman was romantically involved with Navy Commander William Oefelein, a pilot during space shuttle Discovery’s trip to the space station last December, police said.Nowak told police that her relationship with Oefelein was “more than a working relationship but less than a romantic relationship,” according to an arrest affidavit.Police officers recovered a love letter to Oefelein in her car.NASA spokesman James Hartsfield in Houston said that, as of Monday, Nowak’s status with the astronaut corps remained unchanged.When she found out that Shipman was flying to Orlando from Houston, Nowak decided to confront her, according to the arrest affidavit.Nowak raced from Houston to Orlando wearing diapers so she would not have to stop to urinate, authorities said.Astronauts wear diapers during launch and re-entry.Dressed in a disguise, Nowak boarded an airport bus that Shipman took to her car in an airport parking lot.Shipman told police she noticed someone following her, hurried inside the car and locked the doors, according to the arrest affidavit.Nowak rapped on the window, tried to open the car door and asked for a ride.Shipman refused but rolled down the car window a few c when Nowak started crying.Nowak then sprayed a chemical into Shipman’s car, the affidavit said.Shipman drove to the parking lot booth, and the police were called.Nampa-APUS Navy Captain Lisa Nowak, 43, who flew last July on a shuttle mission to the international space station, was also charged with attempted vehicle burglary with battery, destruction of evidence and battery.She was denied bail.Police said Nowak drove from her home in Houston to the Orlando International Airport – wearing diapers so she would not have to stop to urinate – to confront Colleen Shipman.Nowak believed Shipman was romantically involved with Navy Commander William Oefelein, a pilot during space shuttle Discovery’s trip to the space station last December, police said.Nowak told police that her relationship with Oefelein was “more than a working relationship but less than a romantic relationship,” according to an arrest affidavit.Police officers recovered a love letter to Oefelein in her car.NASA spokesman James Hartsfield in Houston said that, as of Monday, Nowak’s status with the astronaut corps remained unchanged.When she found out that Shipman was flying to Orlando from Houston, Nowak decided to confront her, according to the arrest affidavit.Nowak raced from Houston to Orlando wearing diapers so she would not have to stop to urinate, authorities said.Astronauts wear diapers during launch and re-entry.Dressed in a disguise, Nowak boarded an airport bus that Shipman took to her car in an airport parking lot.Shipman told police she noticed someone following her, hurried inside the car and locked the doors, according to the arrest affidavit.Nowak rapped on the window, tried to open the car door and asked for a ride.Shipman refused but rolled down the car window a few c when Nowak started crying.Nowak then sprayed a chemical into Shipman’s car, the affidavit said.Shipman drove to the parking lot booth, and the police were called.Nampa-AP