Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / AMERICAS
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
Saturday, 26 May 2007, 15:16 GMT 16:16 UK

'Love triangle' pilot leaves Nasa

Nasa The space shuttle pilot involved in a love triangle that led to a bizarre show-down between a female astronaut and her rival is to leave Nasa.

William Oefelein, 42, has been reassigned to the navy, his original corps, the US space agency said.

Astronaut Lisa Nowak, who had an affair with him, is awaiting trial on charges of attempted kidnapping and assault.

In February she drove across five states to confront her love rival and pepper-sprayed her car.

On her 1,600km (1,000 mile) journey from Texas to Florida, Capt Nowak wore a wig, as well as a nappy so she would not have to stop to use the toilet.

She was stopped allegedly carrying an air rifle, a steel mallet and a knife.

Capt Nowak, 44, denies attempting to kidnap her rival - Air Force Capt Coleen Shipman.

She has been sacked by Nasa.

Mr Oefelein admitted having had an affair with her, but said it had been ended before he began dating Capt Shipman.

Nasa gave no reasons for reassigning Mr Oefelein to the navy.

A spokesman said: "Nasa has determined that Cmdr Oefelein's detail is no longer required for the purposes it was originally granted."




E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:
E-mails show Nasa 'love triangle' (07 Mar 07 |  Americas )
Astronaut on murder plot charge (06 Feb 07 |  Americas )
Astronaut in 'love kidnap plot' (06 Feb 07 |  Americas )
Shuttle lifts off in night launch (10 Dec 06 |  Science/Nature )
Discovery makes Florida landing (17 Jul 06 |  Science/Nature )
From sci-fi to sci-fact (07 Dec 06 |  Magazine )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
BBC - space exploration
Nasa
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©