Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
People File • Astronaut

Lisa Nowak

Lisa Marie Nowak is an American former NASA astronaut, aeronautical engineer, and retired United States Navy officer.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Lisa Nowak is an American former NASA astronaut, aeronautical engineer, and retired U.S. Navy officer. She became widely known in 2007 after being arrested in Orlando, Florida, in connection with an attack on Colleen Shipman.

What it is

Lisa Marie Nowak (born May 10, 1963, in Washington, D.C.) is a former NASA astronaut who flew on Space Shuttle Discovery mission STS-121. She also served as an aeronautical engineer and officer in the U.S. Navy before her arrest in 2007.

Why it matters

The 2007 arrest drew major media attention because it involved a NASA astronaut in a jealousy-driven confrontation with a romantic rival. The case highlighted personal scandal within the astronaut corps and led to Nowak's removal from active-duty service and a plea agreement.

Key details

Nowak confronted Colleen Shipman in Orlando in February 2007, pepper-spraying her during an incident tied to a relationship with astronaut William Oefelein. She faced charges including attempted kidnapping but received probation. She later lived quietly in Texas and worked in the private sector.

In short

  • Former NASA astronaut and Navy officer arrested in 2007 for attacking a romantic rival.
  • Flew on STS-121 before the incident.
  • Case resolved with probation; no prison time.
  • Later lived in Texas and worked outside government.
Canadian angle

No direct Canada-specific connection is established in the provided sources.

Quick questions

Who is Lisa Nowak?
Lisa Nowak is an American former NASA astronaut, aeronautical engineer, and retired U.S. Navy officer born in 1963.
What did Lisa Nowak do?
In 2007, she traveled to Orlando and attacked Colleen Shipman with pepper spray during a confrontation tied to a romantic rivalry involving astronaut William Oefelein.
Is Lisa Nowak still in prison?
No. She received probation rather than a prison sentence and later lived in Texas; there is no indication she is in prison now.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Nowak
    Supports: Birth name, date of birth, astronaut career, and 2007 arrest details.
  2. NASA — https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/nowak_lisa.pdf
    Supports: Personal data including date and place of birth and NASA career.
  3. New Scientist — https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn11121-us-astronaut-lisa-nowak-a-short-biography/
    Supports: Biography and description of the criminal case.
  4. Time — https://time.com/5685017/lucy-in-the-sky-true-story-lisa-nowak/
    Supports: Background on the 2007 case, plea outcome, and later private-sector life.
  5. Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/musicians/lisa-nowak-lucy-in-the-sky
    Supports: Summary of the incident, charges, plea agreement, and later status.
  6. People — https://people.com/crime/astronaut-love-triangle-lisa-nowak-15-years-attempted-murder-ex-boyfriend-girlfriend/
    Supports: Later-life reporting and contextual details about the incident.