NASA Fires Astronaut

davidwr writes "In an unprecedented move for an unprecedented situation, NASA has fired now-former astronaut Lisa Nowack. She is facing charges of attempted kidnapping related to an incident earlier this year. Ms. Nowack is a Navy officer and remains so."

Comments

Re:Why is this odd?

[nofx911]

According to NASA the felony investigation is only a fraction of the problem. She is technically on lone from the Navy - which means that she is only allowed to work in certain roles that the Navy has pre-authorized for her. Since she can not participate in those roles, due to her current legal obligations (shes not allowed outside of Houston), there is nothing that she can do within NASA. Henceforth, NASA has no choice other than releasing her.

Re:tossed out an airlock

[TubeSteak]

Besides, it's more like she's a Navy pilot seconded to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for space research projects. If she's no longer suited to work on such projects, the right thing to do is to take her off those projects and return her to her regular Navy pilot duties

FTFA:
NASA said it requested Nowak's detail be ended "because the agency lacks the administrative means to deal appropriately with the criminal charges pending against Nowak. Because Nowak is a naval officer on assignment to NASA, rather than a NASA civil servant, she is not subject to administrative action by NASA."

In other words, NASA's only option (other than doing nothing) is to fire her.

As for the quality of people NASA takes into their program, they're mostly products of the Navy/Army Test Pilot School. Even the engineers (like this crazy robotic arm operator) went to test pilot school.

Re:Has anyone tried

[mclearn]

Hell, most female paragliders wear diapers when performing long cross-country flights especially in competitive or hostile environments when landing for bathroom breaks is not an option. Most guys tend to perform "high altitude irrigation" -- it's easier to perform when you can angle the flow.