Captain Nowak’s lawyer argued this afternoon that prosecutors and the police did not have enough evidence to back up the more severe charges, but were only trying to persuade the judge to order Captain Nowak to remain in custody.

The judge increased the bond for Captain Nowak by an additional $10,000, which would still allow her to go free pending her trial. But the judge said Captain Nowak would have to wear an electronic tracking device and ordered her to stay away from the woman she is accused of trying to harm, Colleen Shipman, a captain in the Air Force.

According to the police, Captain Nowak drove more than 950 miles from Houston to Orlando to meet with Captain Shipman, who was flying from Houston to her home in the Orlando area at the same time  because she wanted to confront Captain Shipman after discovering that she too was involved with Commander Oefelein.

Captain Nowak, 43, was wearing a trench coat and wig when she was arrested early Monday morning. She told the police she had worn diapers on the journey so that she would not have to stop to use the restroom so she could arrive in time to meet Captain Shipman’s flight at the airport.

Image Lisa Nowak, 43, drove hundreds of miles to confront a rival for the affections of a fellow astronaut, Bill Oefelein, according to police. Credit... NASA via Associated Press

The police also found a knife, BB pistol, and latex gloves in her car, a police affidavit said.

In the morning court session, Captain Nowak mostly kept her head down during her preliminary appearance. But she nodded and said “yes” a few times when the judge explained that she was not to have any contact with Captain Shipman. Captain Nowak and Commander Oefelein are listed on the NASA Web site among the 97 active duty astronauts.