A NASA astronaut is arrested after an altercation in a parking lot at Orlando International Airport.
Orlando Police say 43-year-old Lisa Marie Nowak, a mission specialist on Space Shuttle Discovery last July, drove from Houston to Orlando, in order to meet Colleen Shipman's plane at OIA.
Orlando Police said that apparently Nowak and Shipman were both in a relationship with the same man. Nowak felt that she needed to meet with Shipman and discuss the details of that relationship.
The arrest affidavit says Nowak was in disguise when she followed Shipman to her car, and tried to talk to her.
When Shipman cracked the window, she says Nowak sprayed her with pepper spray. Shipman drove away and called police.
Orlando police Sgt. Barbara Jones said, “We found a wig, we found a trench coat, we found an air-style BB gun. We found some other stuff. We believe we had the elements for attempted kidnapping."
Nowak is being held without bond, and is facing several charges, including Attempted Kidnapping, Attempted Burglary to a vehicle, and Battery.
Nowak received her commission from the U.S. Naval Academy in May 1985.
Selected by NASA in April 1996, Nowak reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1996. Nowak flew as a mission specialist on STS-121 in July of 2006 and was in space for 22 days.