It seems incredibly complicated to be an astronaut in love. The three-cornered NASA love story has reached a new stage: apologies. More specific, Lisa Nowak expressed her regret about what she has done to her romantic rival, Colleen Shipman. Even more specific, they were in court, Nowak under charges of attempted kidnapping, battery and burglary in the February assault.

Since Nowak’s 1,000 mile “race” from Houston to Orlando to confront Shipman over her relationship with the same man she was with, things alleviated for Lisa. She forgot the pepper spray and kidnapping thoughts and tries to appear as harmless as possible to her former rival.

“The past six months have been very difficult for me, my family and others close to me. I know that it must have also been very hard for Colleen Shipman, and I would like her to know how very sorry I am about having frightened her in any way and about the subsequent public harassment that has besieged all of us,” pleaded her, in the attempt to persuade the judge that the anklet that tracks all her movements is not necessary.

Though determined not to speak during the trial, having her lawyers reading a statement on her behalf, Shipman was made to testify by Circuit Judge Marc L. Lubet, persuaded by Nowak’s lawyers, of course. Shipman declared that she still considers Lisa a threat and the ankle bracelet brings her some comfort. However, she has to admit that she paid some visits to her boyfriend in Houston several times since the assault, though that is the hometown of Nowak. Though not confirmed, the boyfriend she was referring to is believed to be space shuttle pilot Bill Oefelein, who was romantically involved with both of the women.

The 44-year-old mother and former employee of NASA has pleaded not guilty to the charges on Friday, after she was freed on $25,500 bail, on condition of accepting the anklet. Now she is claiming that it hinders her from exercising her attributions as Navy captain and pilot and is very expensive, its weekly rental rate of $105 reaching $3,000 so far, arguments dismissed by the opposition.

What Lykkebak, Nowak’s attorney, called "the biggest lie in this preposterous tale, seems to be true though. The former NASA pilot allegedly were diapers during the 1000-mile frantic drive, the police finding three dirty diapers in the garbage bag of her BMW automobile, but she dismissed the allegation saying that they were left after a long-ago hurricane evacuation.