The couple thrust into the spotlight by former astronaut Lisa Nowak plan to marry next year.
Colleen Shipman and Billy Oefelein announced their engagement this week in their hometown newspapers.
Nowak, a mission specialist on space shuttle Discovery's flight in July 2006, is accused of trying to kidnap and attack Shipman, a former U.S. Air Force officer, who was dating Oefelein, also an astronaut at the time and Nowak's former lover. A trial is set for Dec. 7.
Oefelein and Shipman retired from the military and are living in Alaska.
Oefelein popped the question on June 20 while on a 110-mile canoe trip. The ring was hidden in a fishing tackle box.
A 2010 wedding in Pennsyl-vania is planned.
MCCLATCHY NEWS SERVICE
