The Love Triangle That Ended NASA Astronaut Lisa Nowak's Career And Landed Her In Jail

Last Updated:February 09, 2026, 13:42 IST

NASA astronaut Lisa Nowak shocked the world in 2007 when she went to confront US Air Force captain Colleen Shipman for her relationship with Nowak's close friend William Oefelein

At the beginning of 2007, the arrest of NASA astronaut Lisa Nowak stunned both the public and the scientific community. Only months earlier, she had returned from space after playing a significant role in supporting NASA’s space shuttle programme during a sensitive period of recovery following a major accident.

Known as a disciplined and dependable officer, Nowak’s reputation had been built on years of hard work and service. Suddenly, however, her name shifted from mission briefings to police reports, in a case that seemed stranger than fiction.

A captain in the United States Navy and a highly trained astronaut, Nowak had travelled to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a space shuttle in July 2006. By February 2007, she was at the centre of a dramatic investigation after police said she drove nearly 1,500 kilometres non-stop from Houston to Orlando. Reports at the time claimed she used diapers during the journey to avoid stopping, a detail that quickly made international headlines and left many in disbelief.

According to reports, the purpose of the long drive was to confront Colleen Shipman, a US Air Force captain who Nowak thought was romantically involved with fellow astronaut William Oefelein, with whom Nowak had a close bond. Though the exact nature of the relationship between the two remains unclear, Nowak reportedly described her bond with Oefelein as “more than work, but less than romantic".

Police affidavits stated that in 2007, Nowak went to meet Shipman and waited for her at Orlando International Airport. Media reports said she allegedly wore a wig and trench coat during the encounter. The confrontation took place near Shipman’s car, where Nowak is said to have used pepper spray. Shipman managed to escape and sought help at a parking booth. No serious injuries were reported. Soon after, police located Nowak’s car at a nearby motel.

Initially, Nowak was charged with attempted kidnapping, but prosecutors later added a more serious charge of attempted first-degree murder. Investigators cited several items found in her possession, including pepper spray, a BB gun, a knife, a hammer, a rubber tube and a large trash bag. Authorities argued that these items suggested a planned attack rather than a simple confrontation, and police documents stated that Shipman’s life had been in danger.

Nowak’s lawyer denied the allegations, arguing that the evidence did not support the charge of attempted murder. The defence maintained that she had only intended to talk and that the police had built a dramatic narrative based on assumptions.

NASA placed Nowak on 30-day leave and removed her from mission duty. The agency refrained from public speculation, issuing only a statement expressing concern for the safety and well-being of those involved. Experts later noted that the demanding and high-pressure environment at NASA, where personnel often spend long periods away from family, can intensify emotional strain, particularly when personal and professional lives intersect.

The case concluded in 2009 through a plea agreement and never went to a full trial. Nowak admitted to some charges, including minor assault and unlawful entry into a vehicle. She was not sentenced to jail but received probation. In court, she expressed deep regret for her actions and apologised, saying she was “truly sorry" and promising never to contact the two again.

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