An Astronaut is Grounded

A desperate attempt to retain love has led to the firing of astronaut Lisa Nowak. NASA announced March 7, 2007 that Ms. Nowak was relieved of her job not because of her current court charges of attempted kidnapping, but because NASA claims it lacks the administration to handle such allegations.

Ms. Nowak is a 1985 graduate of the United States Naval Academy in aerospace engineering, and a 1992 graduate of the United States Naval Postgraduate School in both aeronautical engineering and aeronautical and astronautical engineering. She has served the United States Navy from May 1985, earning her Naval Flight wings in 1987, and virtually filling a resume full of experiences leading up to her selection for the astronaut program. During her service among several service awards, she has been awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

At NASA, Nowak provide engineering support, became qualified for flight as a mission specialist, and served in operations planning, the robotics branch, and in mission control. In 2006, Ms. Nowak flew as a specialist to the International Space Station on the Space Shuttle Discovery to test new equipment as well as knew procedures concerning safety of space shuttles, as well as to repair a rail car on the Space Station among other maintenance and delivering of supplies. Her flight time includes over 1500 hours, including about 306.5 hours in space on the Discovery.

On February 5, 2007, whether blinded by love or revenge, Ms. Nowak set out to confront the woman she believed to be romantically involved with astronaut Bill Oefeltein (a love interest with whom Lisa Nowak was also romantically involved with). Nowak allegedly drove from Houston to Orlando wearing diapers so she would not have to stop, where she attacked Colleen Shipman with pepper spray.

Apparently her actions have left those around her stunned, as no one expected this type of perplexing behavior from Ms. Nowak. A married mother of three, no one was aware that Nowak was slowly starting to mentally collapse under the stresses of her challenging profession. Her family was taken by surprise as well, while they knew that Nowak and her husband had recently separated, everyone still believed that she was ok.

It is evident that Ms. Nowak was under personal and professional stress, and no one knows for sure how an individual will respond under such circumstances. Lisa is pleading not guilty to the charges, but due to her actions, it is evident that she will not be able to escape into space anytime soon.

Sources:
www.jsc.nasa.gov
www.cnn.com
www.people.com