A US space shuttle astronaut has been charged with trying to kidnap and kill a rival for the affections of a male astronaut after she drove 950 miles wearing nappies to confront the woman.
US Navy Capt Lisa Nowak, who has three children and recently separated from her husband, was released from jail in Florida after posting bail yesterday.
Lisa M. Nowak
She was put on 30-day suspension by Nasa and removed from all shuttle mission-related activities.
Ms Nowak was initially arrested on attempted kidnapping charges on Monday in Orlando, Florida after allegedly assaulting Colleen Shipman, a US Air Force captain, who she believed also had affectionate feelings for astronaut Bill Oefelein, police said.
She was freed on $15,500 bail on the kidnapping charge but her release was delayed when police filed a new charge of attempted first-degree murder.
The charge carries a life imprisonment sentence on conviction.
Police said Ms Nowak (43) a flight engineer who made her first trip into space in July to the International Space Station aboard shuttle Discovery, sped from Houston to Orlando wearing nappies so she would not have to stop at a bathroom.
Astronauts wear them during launches and landings.
She disguised herself in a dark wig, glasses and trench coat to confront Ms Shipman at Orlando International Airport but told police she "only wanted to scare" the woman into talking to her.
In two separate appearances in court, wearing a jail uniform, shackled at the waist and with her head bowed, Ms Nowak made no comment about the charges of attempted murder and kidnapping, attempted burglary of a vehicle and battery.
A bail bondsman said Ms Nowak was expected to fly back to Houston on Wednesday and it was not clear when she would appear in court again.