Sexy emails to bring down Shuttle astronauts?

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Wednesday, 07 March 2007 21:16

Science - Space

A series of sexy emails, sent to and from the Space Shuttle as it orbited the planet, have conspired to cast light on the astronaut love triangle between Lisa Nowak, Bill Oefelein and Colleen Shipman that saw Nowak go on an anti-Shipman rampage.

An Associated Press report has detailed the series of emails sent between NASA astronauts Bill Oefelein and Colleen Shipman, which after interception by Lisa Nowak, appear to have sent Nowak over the edge in her publicized attempted abduction of Shipman.

The emails were provided to AP by the Orange-Osceola State Attorney's Office and are listed in part below.

Nowak had access to Oefelein’s computer, including a key to his apartment, and it is understood that on using Oefelein’s PC, Nowak had come across the emails which caused the jealous attempted kidnap on Shipman which has set the world abuzz after Nowak’s actions were discovered.

What is confirmed by the emails is that Oefelein and Nowak were indeed engaged in a relationship of sorts over an extended period which eventually broke down at Oefelein’s affections had shifted to Shipman.

It is understood that Nowak knew of Oefelein’s new relationship and professed to be ok with it, although Nowak’s subsequent actions seem to have clearly proven otherwise. Shipman was concerned that Nowak might try to harm her, and questioned why Nowak’s purple bike was at Oefelein’s home. Oefelein is also alleged to have called Shipman by Nowak’s first name, ‘Lisa’, in a late night interlude.

Oefelein and Nowak were still to compete in a bike race together, which is why Nowak’s bike was at Oefelein’s home, and why Nowak still had a key to gain entry.

Following are some of the emails provided by the Orange-Osceola State Attorney's Office. Please read onto page 2 for the emails.