Nowak sheds GPS ankle bracelet

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Disgraced former astronaut Lisa Nowak no longer has to wear a court-ordered, global-positioning device strapped to her ankle.

In granting the U.S. Navy captain's request to remove the device, Orange County, Fla., Circuit Court Judge Marc Lubet Thursday noted Nowak had no prior criminal record and hadn't violated any conditions of her release since she was freed from jail seven months ago, the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported Friday.

Nowak, a mission specialist on shuttle Discovery's flight in July 2006, was charged with the attempted kidnapping of Air Force Capt. Colleen Shipman, her ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend, as well as burglary with assault.

Also charged with misdemeanor battery in the incident at Orlando International Airport, Nowak reportedly planned to rely on an insanity defense at her upcoming trial.

While wearing the GPS system, Nowak was allowed to travel anywhere in the country but Brevard County, which is where her alleged victim lives.

However, because Shipman has testified she travels to Houston -- where Nowak lives -- to visit her Navy commander boyfriend, former astronaut Bill Oefelein, the GPS device "does not fulfill its intended purpose of protecting Ms. Shipman," Lubet said.