A federal court has sentenced Summer Heather Worden, the former spouse of NASA astronaut Anne McClain, to three months in prison for fabricating a story that McClain committed the first-ever crime in outer space. The sentence follows Worden's guilty plea to making false statements to federal authorities.
Worden, a 51-year-old former U.S. Air Force intelligence officer, was also ordered to serve two years of supervised release and pay $210,000 in restitution following the high-profile case that drew international attention.
Key Takeaways
- Summer Worden was sentenced to three months in federal prison for lying to law enforcement.
- She falsely accused her ex-wife, astronaut Anne McClain, of illegally accessing her bank account from the International Space Station.
- The court also ordered Worden to pay $210,000 in restitution and serve two years of supervised release.
- The false claims were made during the couple's contentious divorce and custody battle.
Details of the Sentencing
The sentencing took place in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, bringing a conclusion to a case that began in 2019. The court's decision reflects the severity of making false claims to federal investigators.
In addition to the prison term, the two-year period of supervised release will impose certain conditions on Worden upon her release. The significant financial restitution of $210,000 addresses damages related to the false allegations.
Worden pleaded guilty in November 2025 to the charge of making false statements, admitting she had knowingly provided untrue information to investigators regarding McClain's conduct.
The 'First Crime in Space' Allegation
The case originated from a complaint filed by Worden in 2019. She alleged that McClain had improperly accessed her personal bank account while aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This accusation quickly gained media traction as the potential first criminal offense committed in space.
Worden claimed McClain used shared financial information to log into the account without permission. The allegation was made public during a difficult divorce and a dispute over the custody of their son.
Public Campaign
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, even after an internal investigation exonerated McClain, Worden continued to push the false narrative. She reportedly promoted the story to news outlets and hired a media consultant to amplify her claims, leading to widespread and damaging media coverage for the astronaut.
The claims prompted investigations by both NASA's Office of Inspector General and the Federal Trade Commission, diverting significant resources to verify the sensational story.
Investigation Uncovers the Truth
A thorough investigation by federal authorities ultimately proved Worden's claims were false. The evidence showed that the bank account in question was opened in April 2018, and both Worden and McClain had accessed it until January 2019.
It was revealed that Worden had changed the login credentials but that McClain had been granted access to Worden's financial records, including login details, since at least 2015. McClain's access was part of a routine effort to manage their intertwined finances, a common practice for married couples, especially when one partner is on a long-term deployment.
"The investigation revealed Worden had granted her spouse access to her bank records from at least 2015, including her login credentials," a previous statement from the U.S. Attorney's office detailed.
McClain, through her lawyer, maintained that she was simply checking on their joint finances to ensure there were sufficient funds to care for their son while she was on her six-month mission in space.
A Contentious Divorce
The backdrop to these events was the couple's turbulent separation. Worden and McClain were married in 2014. Worden filed for divorce in 2018. The false accusation about illegal bank access was lodged amid this ongoing legal battle, which was finalized in 2020.
Impact on Astronaut Anne McClain
Anne McClain, 46, is a decorated U.S. Army officer, test pilot, and a highly respected NASA astronaut. She served as a flight engineer on the International Space Station for Expedition 58/59, spending 204 days in space.
The false allegations cast a shadow over her professional career at a critical time. Despite being cleared by investigators, the public nature of the accusations required her to address a matter that was deeply personal and unrelated to her duties as an astronaut.
McClain has since continued her career with NASA, serving as the commander for the agency's SpaceX Crew-10 mission, which launched in March 2025 and returned to Earth in August of that year. Her resilience and continued service have been noted by her colleagues and the aerospace community.