Love Triangle Astronaut Takes Leave From NASA

William Oefelein has taken leave from NASA to be with his girlfriend, Colleen Shipman in Florida, reports the Chicago Tribune.

Oefelein immediately asked for time off from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, after he was made aware of the attack on Shipman.

"Ellen Ochoa, a NASA official,confirmed Thursday that there is a romantic link between Oefelein, 41, and Shipman, 30.

Oefelein, a divorced Navy commander, was granted leave to spend a week with Shipman, Ochoa said. He and Shipman have not spoken publicly about the attack that received worldwide attention.

Ochoa would not discuss the nature of the relationship between Oefelein and Nowak--who separated from her husband a few weeks ago--because it is the focus of a criminal investigation. The two astronauts trained together for separate shuttle flights last year.

Nowak, who was placed on a 30-day leave, participated in her first shuttle flight in July. Also this week, she was removed from her duties as lead spacecraft communicator in Mission Control for a March shuttle mission.

She is secluded in her Houston-area home. "

More on Lisa Nowak here and here

It Just Keeps Getting Worse For the Nutternaut

As if attempted murder, kidnapping, battery and wearing a diaper past the age of 4 were not enough, Lisa Nowak can add home wrecker to her every growing resume. People Magazine is reporting (via The New York Post) that Charlene Davis, whose daughter was married to astronaut Bill Oefelein for 17 years, is speaking out against Nowak.

"She broke my daughter's heart,"

Davis did not say that her former son-in-law and Nowak were having an affair, but she did strongly suggest to the Post that Oefelein and Nowak were involved in an inappropriate relationship.

"To infer that she had something to do with breaking up their marriage - well, I'll let you draw your own conclusions." She also added, "I also feel very sorry for Mrs. Nowak. How desperate can you be to do something this stupid?"

Oh snap! I love when people's mommas get pissed!
Since his divorce, Oefelein has reportedly been involved with Colleen Shipman, the woman Nowak attacked. Hence her jealous wig-trench-diaper-wearing-mace-carrying-mallet-trash-bag-having jealous rage.

Astronauts Are Stable People

American astronaut Lisa Nowak has been arrested and charged with attempted kidnapping, attempted vehicle burglary with battery, destruction of evidence and battery on Monday. Nowak, who is a married mother of 3, drove from her home in Houston to Orlando, wearing a diaper so she wouldn't have to stop, to confront Colleen Shipman who she believed was a after the same man, William Oefelein. Nowak drove to the airport wearing a wig and trench coat (and hopefully a changed diaper) and waited for Shipman to arrive on her flight. Nowak followed Shipman to her car where she repeatedly slammed on the window first asking for a ride then crying until it was opened a crack. Once open, she sprayed Shipman with pepper spray. Shipman was able to drive to the toll booth where police were called. When police arrived, they saw Nowak throw away a bag inside of which they found: a wig, BB gun, steel mallet, 4" folding knife, rubber tubing, $600 and garbage bags. In her car, they found emails between Shipman and Navy Cmdr. William Oefelein, a pilot during space shuttle Discovery's trip last December. Nowak believed Shipman was romantically involved with Oefelein. Nowak told police that her relationship with Oefelein was "more than a working relationship but less than a romantic relationship," police also found a love letter to Oefelein in her car. She told police that she only wanted to scare Shipman into talking to her about her relationship with Oefelein, not to harm her physically. NASA's statement reads:

"Our concern is for Lisa, as it is for any employee. We want to do what we can
to ensure her health and well being."

Nowak is being held without bond. If convicted of attempted kidnapping, she could face a maximum of life in prison. I sense the making of a Lifetime Moment of Truth movie.