Astronaut charged with attempted kidnapping of love rival

US prosecutors charged an astronaut today with trying to kidnap a romantic rival, but they declined to file an attempted murder charge against her that had been recommended by police.

Lisa Nowak, 43, was formally charged almost a month after she was arrested at an Orlando airport car park.

Police have said Nowak, wearing a nappy so she would not have to stop to use the toilet, raced 900 miles in her car from Houston to confront a woman she saw as a rival for another astronaut’s affections. She donned a wig and trench coat, then sprayed a chemical into the woman’s car when she would not let Nowak in, police said.

In addition to attempted kidnapping to intent to inflict bodily harm, state prosecutors charged Nowak with burglary with a weapon and battery.

A spokesman for Nowak’s lawyer declined to comment because he had not seen the charges. Nowak is free on bail with an ankle tracking device.

Nowak believed Colleen Shipman was romantically involved with Navy Commander William Oefelein, a pilot during space shuttle Discovery’s trip to the space station last December, according to police. After the confrontation, Shipman drove to a car park booth for help.

Nowak had been a top astronaut who flew on Discovery last summer and won praise for operating the shuttle’s robotic arm. Nasa relieved her of all mission duties after her arrest.