A Space Crime That Wasn't

A woman has admitted to making a false claim about her astronaut ex-wife. Summer Heather Worden, 50, told police in July 2019 that her former partner, Anne McClain, had broken the law while working on the International Space Station (ISS). This was the first time anyone had ever reported a crime happening in space. Investigators from NASA's Office of the Inspector General looked into the matter. They found that Worden had opened a bank account in April 2018. Both she and McClain had access to it until January 2019. Worden had also shared her bank details with McClain since at least 2015. McClain said she had permission to use the account. But Worden disagreed and filed a complaint. McClain denied doing anything wrong. She said on social media that she and Worden were going through a difficult breakup. Worden has now pleaded guilty to lying to the police. She could go to prison for up to 5 years and pay a fine of $250, 000. Her sentencing is set for February 2026. This case raises questions about privacy and trust, even in space. It also shows how personal disputes can sometimes lead to serious legal trouble. While the idea of a space crime might sound exciting, this story is a reminder that the truth can be more complicated than it seems.