( CNN ) -- A former NASA astronaut accused of assaulting a romantic rival at a Florida airport can take off her electronic tracking bracelet while she awaits trial , a judge ruled Thursday . Attorneys for former astronaut Lisa Nowak said her ankle bracelet was uncomfortable and inconvenient . The bracelet was uncomfortable , inconvenient and cost Lisa Nowak $ 105 a week , her attorneys argued . Those reasons alone were n't enough to order the monitor removed , Orange County Circuit Court Judge Marc Lubet said in his ruling . He said the monitoring device was not fulfilling its purpose . Although the alleged victim , Air Force Capt . Colleen Shipman , testified earlier this month that she remains afraid of Nowak and wants the monitor to remain , Shipman `` chose to travel to the defendant 's hometown of Houston , Texas , on three or four occasions ... to visit her boyfriend '' since the incident , Lubet wrote . `` During these trips ... the electronic monitoring GPS device afforded no protection or benefit to Ms. Shipman , as the defendant could freely move about Houston , '' Lubet wrote . `` Under these circumstances , it is clear to this court that the electronic monitoring GPS device does not fulfill its intended purpose of protecting Ms . Shipman . '' Lubet also cited Nowak 's lack of a prior criminal record . Nowak is `` relieved '' to have the device removed , according to a statement issued by defense attorney Don Lykkebak . `` It 's a great relief not to worry about safety issues related to the batteries ' life while I 'm driving , '' Nowak said in the statement . `` I 'm also really looking forward to getting back into my former aerobic fitness programs . '' Lykkebak 's spokeswoman , Marti Mackenzie , said in the statement that Nowak had developed an indentation and abrasions from the device and will now have a chance to heal . Nowak , 44 , pleaded not guilty March 22 to charges of attempted kidnapping with intent to inflict bodily harm , battery and burglary of a vehicle using a weapon . Her trial is to begin next month . If convicted she could face a sentence of up to life in prison . Prosecutors say Nowak drove nearly 900 miles from Houston to Orlando , Florida -- wearing diapers to cut down on the number of stops she needed to make -- and went to Orlando International Airport on February 5 . She put on a disguise and followed Shipman from baggage claim to the parking lot , according to court papers . Shipman told police that after she got into her car , Nowak feigned distress and knocked on the window . When Shipman cracked it to talk to her , Nowak sprayed her face with pepper spray , Shipman said . Police said Nowak was apprehended later as she was disposing of her disguise in an airport trash bin . Nowak has said she merely went to the airport to talk to Shipman , who had begun dating Nowak 's former love interest , Navy Cmdr . Bill Oefelein , who was also an astronaut . Oefelein has since left the astronaut corps . Nowak 's attorneys earlier this month filed a notice of intent to rely on an insanity defense , saying in court documents her diagnoses include a litany of more than a dozen psychiatric disorders . In his ruling , Lubet noted that Nowak , a Navy captain , would face additional penalties from the military if she were to violate the conditions of her pretrial release . Nowak has no reason to travel to Florida , where Shipman lives , other than to appear in court , consult with her attorneys or fulfill her military duties , he said , and no reason to travel to Virginia -- where Shipman 's boyfriend now lives . He ordered her to have no contact with Shipman or Oefelein and not to travel to Virginia , Washington , Maryland , Delaware or Brevard County , Florida , without court approval . Lykkebak said in his statement that Nowak has no problem adhering to the travel restrictions . E-mail to a friend .
Former astronaut Lisa Nowak can remove ankle monitoring device , judge says . Judge says device not fulfilling its purpose . Comment: Nowak 's attorneys have filed a notice of intent to rely on an insanity defense .