nasa punts

NASA Punts

Shortly after the Lisa Nowak scandal broke, we predicted that the

lovelorn astronaut would quietly "resign" from the space program in

about three or four months. We also noted that Captain Nowak's

departure from the space agency might create something of a problem

for the U.S. Navy, which would "regain" administrative control of the

senior officer.

In our relentless pursuit of accuracy, we must point out that our

timeline for Nowak's departure from NASA was a bit off. The agency

today announced that Captain Nowak has been fired from the astronaut

corps, effective immediately. NASA officials said that the action did

not indicate the agency's belief in Nowak's innoncence or guilt, but

reflected the lack of an "administrative system" to handle the

allegations against her. Captain Nowak is facing charges of kidnapping

and assault (among others), after attacking a woman she viewed as a

romantic rival. Nowak's dismissal came barely a month after her

arrest--and brief confinement--in Orlando, Florida. So much for

quietly easing her out the door.

In justifying its action, NASA notes--correctly--that it technically

lacks the authority to punish Nowak, beyond her removal from the

astronaut corps. As a career naval officer, Captain Nowak is subject

to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), and apparently, no one

at the space agency has UCMJ authority over military personnel serving

as astronauts. Until now, there was apparently no need for that sort

of mechanism at the agency; thanks to its rigorous screening

procedures, NASA assumed that all of its astronauts--including

military officers serving in the program--were of the highest ethical

and moral character. As far as actually meeting those standards, Nowak

and her colleagues were apparently "on their own." This highlights an

important lesson for the military (and the agency), as we noted when

the scandal first broke:

"...the military (apparently) needs to tighten control of personnel

assigned to the astronaut office in Houston. Historically, the

military has adopted a "hands off" approach to officers who qualify as

astronauts. While serving with NASA, military personnel retain their

rank, pay and other benefits, but supervision is minimal, and

enforcement of standards is apparently lax. For example, take a look

at Nowak's "official" astronaut photograph, linked here. I'm hardly an

expert on Navy dress and appearance standards, but Capt Nowak's

"spacesuit" hairstyle does not appear to be within military limits. If

you're willing to compromise on one of the fundamental standards for

any member of the armed services (dress and appearance), you're

probably willing to cut corners in other areas, too."

Now, the issue of "what to do" about Captain Nowak is the

responsibility of the Florida courts--and the U.S. Navy. It still

seems likely that the service (for now) will let the civilian justice

system run its course, then determine if additional charges will be

filed under the UCMJ. Nowak will almost certainly ask for retirement

from active duty (if she hasn't already), but it's unlikely that the

Navy will grant that request before she has her day in court.

Meanwhile, the service will create some sort of "special assistant"

position for her, perhaps at the Naval Air Stations at Kingsville or

Corpus Christi, Texas. The job won't involve any real work, but it

will keep her out of the public eye, and give her a chance to work

with defense attorneys on the Florida case.

Meanwhile, there's the nagging issue of how NASA--and the Navy--will

deal with Nowak's former lover, astronaut William Oefelein. A Navy

Commander (O-5) and shuttle pilot, Ofelein has told police

investigators that he and Nowak had a lengthy affair, but that

relationship ended before he started dating Air Force Captain Colleen

Shipman--the woman that Nowak attacked in Florida last month.

Commander Oefelein is divorced, but Nowak was married at the time of

their relationship. Adultery is still a punishable offense under the

UCMJ; so is fraternization. As a Captain, Nowak outranked Oefelein.

And he, in turn, outranks Shipman, violating the informal "one grade

up/one grade down" rule that the military often uses in determining

what is (or isn't) fraternization.

True, Commander Oefelein didn't try to attack or kidnap anyone, but he

hasn't covered himself in glory in this sordid episode. As of right

now, he's still a member of the astronaut corps. We'll see if NASA

decides to give him the boot as well. If that happens, the Navy will