NASA has announced the termination of U.S. Navy Captain Lisa Nowak, who will return to an active duty assignment with the U.S. Navy.  Her termination, made by mutual agreement between NASA and the Navy, became effective today.

Nowak is the astronaut charged with attempted kidnapping and other felonies related to an incident in Florida with a woman she perceived as a rival for the affections of another astronaut -- William Oefelein, a Navy commander.

NASA terminated U.S. Navy Captain Lisa Nowak, effective March 8.

Nowak, an active duty naval officer, began her detail with NASA following selection as a member of the astronaut class of 1996. She flew one mission, STS-121 in 2006.

NASA requested an end to the detail 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.

NASA’s decision to terminate Nowak's detail does not reflect any position by NASA on the criminal charges pending in Florida.