Nasa ex-astronaut in court plea

Capt Nowak took part in a space shuttle mission in 2006

A former US astronaut accused of trying to kidnap a love rival has appeared in court as she awaits trial.

Lisa Nowak, 44, who has been charged with attempted kidnapping, assault and burglary, asked a judge to release her from her GPS monitoring device.

Capt Nowak allegedly drove hundreds of miles across the US in February to confront her ex-boyfriend's new lover. She has since been sacked by Nasa.

She is due to give her first public statement after the court hearing.

She will read a written statement outside court, her lawyer Donald Lykkebak said.

Capt Nowak, now a navy pilot, is accused of attacking Air Force Capt Colleen Shipman, the new girlfriend of shuttle pilot William Oefelein, with capsicum spray and trying to jump into her car.

In court in Orlando, Capt Nowak said her ankle-mounted GPS monitoring device was uncomfortable and bulky and caused "abrasions" on her legs.

She said she was unable to swim or run while wearing the device, both necessary activities in her role as a navy captain.

She pledged to follow a court order to stay away from Capt Shipman, who told the court she felt safe knowing Capt Nowak had to wear the device.

"When I'm all alone and there's nobody with me, it's a comfort," Capt Shipman said.

Capt Nowak also asked the court to throw out statements she said were obtained illegally.

Her lawyer has said the statements were made under duress after she was held for three hours and deprived of sleep.

Weapons including a steel mallet and a knife were found in her car when she arrived at Orlando International Airport in Florida, police say, after she allegedly drove 1,000 miles (1,600km) from Houston, Texas.