Ex-astronaut pleads guilty in assault case

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Lisa Marie Nowak, the former NASA astronaut accused in Florida of attacking a romantic rival, pleaded guilty to reduced charges in Florida Tuesday.

Nowak was sentenced to two days in jail with credit for time served, The Orlando Sentinel reported. She was also ordered to apologize to her victim in writing, to stay away from her and to serve a year's probation.

The 46-year-old Nowak became notorious when she was charged with assaulting Colleen Shipman in the parking lot at Orlando International Airport. Shipman, a captain in the U.S. Air Force, had become involved with Nowak's former astronaut lover.

One detail especially captured media attention -- that Nowak wore adult diapers during a non-stop drive from Houston to Orlando.

At Tuesday's hearing, Nowak pleaded guilty to attempted burglary of a conveyance and misdemeanor battery. She had been charged with more serious felonies, including attempted kidnapping.

Shipman said Tuesday the attack and the notoriety that followed has led to medical problems and to her leaving the Air Force.