Lisa Nowak

Lisa M. Nowak

Lisa Marie Nowak (née Caputo, born May 10, 1963) is a former NASA astronaut and United States Navy Captain. She gained international attention in 2007 when she was arrested and subsequently charged with attempted kidnapping, burglary, and battery against U.S. Air Force Captain Colleen Shipman.

Early Life and Education

Lisa Nowak was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Rockville, Maryland. She graduated from Charles W. Woodward High School in 1981. Nowak earned a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering from the United States Naval Academy in 1985 and a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1992. She also holds a Master of Science degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Naval Career

Nowak was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy upon her graduation from the United States Naval Academy. She was designated a Naval Flight Officer in 1987 and flew missions in the EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft. Nowak logged over 1,500 flight hours in more than 30 different aircraft.

NASA Career

In 1996, Nowak was selected by NASA as an astronaut candidate. She completed two years of training and evaluation and qualified for flight assignment as a mission specialist. Nowak flew on STS-121, a Space Shuttle Discovery mission to the International Space Station (ISS), in July 2006. During the mission, she operated the robotic arm and helped with the transfer of supplies and equipment to the ISS.

2007 Arrest and Legal Issues

In February 2007, Nowak was arrested in Orlando, Florida, and charged with attempted kidnapping, burglary, and battery against U.S. Air Force Captain Colleen Shipman. The incident was widely covered by the media and led to Nowak's dismissal from NASA and the United States Navy. In November 2009, Nowak agreed to a plea deal, and she was sentenced to a year of probation.

Personal Life

Lisa Nowak was married to Richard T. Nowak, a fellow Navy officer, and they have three children. The couple divorced in 2008. Nowak's personal life and the 2007 incident have been the subject of various media portrayals and public discussions.

See Also

• NASA Astronaut Group 16
• Space Shuttle program
• International Space Station
• STS-121