A former Air Force intelligence officer has pleaded guilty to making false statements to federal authorities after accusing her then-spouse, NASA astronaut Anna McClain, of committing a crime from the International Space Station. The plea brings an end to a case that once generated headlines about the first alleged crime in space.
Summer Worden, 50, admitted in federal court to fabricating the accusation that McClain had improperly accessed her bank account while on a six-month mission in orbit. The guilty plea was confirmed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.
Key Takeaways
- Summer Worden pleaded guilty to making false statements to federal authorities.
- She had accused her ex-wife, NASA astronaut Anna McClain, of illegally accessing her bank account from the International Space Station in 2019.
- An investigation found McClain had prior, authorized access to the account to manage shared finances.
- Worden faces a potential sentence of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
- The false allegations were made during the couple's contentious divorce and custody battle.
Details of the Guilty Plea
In a Houston federal court, Summer Worden formally admitted to providing false information to both the Federal Trade Commission and NASA's Office of Inspector General. By pleading guilty, she avoids a trial but now faces significant legal consequences for the fabricated claim.
The charge of making false statements to federal authorities carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Worden has been permitted to remain on bond, with her sentencing scheduled for February 12 of next year.
A High-Profile Accusation
The original allegations in 2019 drew international attention, as they raised unprecedented legal questions about jurisdiction and law enforcement in outer space. The case was widely reported as the potential "first crime committed in space," a claim that has now been officially debunked.
The Original Allegation and Investigation
The case began in 2019 when Worden filed a complaint alleging that McClain, during her mission aboard the International Space Station, had accessed Worden's personal bank account without permission. The accusation was made while the couple was undergoing a difficult separation.
The serious nature of the claim, involving a decorated astronaut on a high-profile NASA mission, triggered a comprehensive investigation. Both NASA's internal watchdog and the Federal Trade Commission launched inquiries into the matter.
What Investigators Found
The federal investigation uncovered evidence that contradicted Worden's claims. According to prosecutors, investigators determined that McClain had been granted access to the bank account years earlier, as far back as 2015, to assist in managing the couple's intertwined finances. Worden had reportedly provided McClain with the login credentials herself.
Shared Access: Records showed that both Worden and McClain regularly accessed the bank account until January 2019, at which point Worden changed the password. The access by McClain from the ISS occurred before the credentials were changed.
McClain consistently maintained her innocence, stating through her lawyer that she was merely checking on the family's financial situation, as she had always done, to ensure there were sufficient funds to care for Worden's son, whom they were raising together.
A Dispute Rooted on Earth
The allegations did not occur in a vacuum. They emerged during a contentious divorce and a parental dispute over the child Worden had from a previous relationship. The couple's divorce was officially finalized in January 2020.
The false report to federal agencies appears to have been a tactic used within this personal conflict, but it ultimately resulted in federal charges against Worden herself.
"I have been going through a painful, personal separation with my estranged spouse that is now, unfortunately, in the media. I appreciate the outpouring of support and will reserve comment until after the investigation. I have total confidence in the IG process."
Vindication and Continued Service for Astronaut McClain
For Anna McClain, the guilty plea from her former spouse serves as a public vindication. Throughout the ordeal, she continued her duties with NASA without interruption. A West Point graduate and decorated Army pilot who flew combat missions in Iraq, McClain was selected for NASA's astronaut corps in 2013.
Her career has continued to advance despite the turmoil caused by the false allegations. Earlier this year, in March 2025, McClain returned to the International Space Station, this time as the commander of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission, demonstrating the agency's continued confidence in her leadership and professionalism.
The resolution of the case closes a chapter that briefly cast a shadow on space operations, confirming that the first alleged extraterrestrial crime was, in fact, a terrestrial fabrication.