Cleared in a ‘Crime in Space’ Case: Astronaut Anne McClain and the False Bank‑Access Accusation

Colonel Anne McClain, a U.S. Army veteran and NASA astronaut, was the subject of a high‑profile allegation that she accessed her then‑wife’s bank account while aboard the International Space Station. That claim has now been discredited: Summer Worden, a former Air Force intelligence officer, has pleaded guilty to making false statements to law enforcement about the incident.

What happened

In August 2019 Worden publicly alleged that McClain had logged into Worden’s financial account without permission while McClain was on the ISS, saying McClain had guessed her password. The allegation prompted inquiries from federal and space‑related watchdogs because it was described at the time as a possible first instance of a crime committed from orbit.

Investigators later concluded Worden had provided McClain access to the account and had misstated key facts about when the account was opened and when login credentials were changed. Worden pleaded guilty to making false statements to federal officials and faces up to five years in prison and a possible fine of $250,000; sentencing is scheduled for February 12.

McClain’s response and impact

McClain has consistently denied any wrongdoing. In a public statement she said, "Ms. Worden intentionally, and with full knowledge of the truth, presented a story to federal investigators and to the media with the intention of harm. From the outset, there was no evidence supporting her claims, and overwhelming evidence disproving them." The episode has been a prominent and stressful episode in an otherwise distinguished career.

Career highlights

Anne McClain is originally from Spokane, Washington. She graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical and aeronautical engineering and later earned a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Bath. She also holds advanced degrees in international relations and strategic studies.

McClain served as a Kiowa Warrior helicopter pilot and flight instructor, logging more than 2,000 flight hours across fixed‑ and rotary‑wing aircraft. She served 15 months in Operation Iraqi Freedom, accumulating more than 800 combat hours and flying 216 combat missions as pilot‑in‑command and air mission commander.

Selected to NASA’s astronaut corps in 2013 and completing training in 2015, McClain served on Expedition 58/59 (December–June) as a flight engineer and later commanded Expedition 72/73 during a recent tour on the ISS. Her spaceflight work included multiple spacewalks (EVAs) totaling more than 18 hours, participation in microgravity research including DNA-editing experiments, and leadership on station maintenance and technology demonstrations. Her honors include the Distinguished Service Medal and the Bronze Star.

Context: privacy, law and LGBTQ history in the astronaut corps

The case drew extra public interest because it involved personal privacy, digital security and the lives of LGBTQ people in high‑visibility roles. Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, lived much of her life privately; her long partnership was publicly acknowledged only after her death. Ride later founded Sally Ride Science to encourage young people, especially girls, to pursue STEM fields and was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The Worden plea resolves a chapter that raised novel questions about jurisdiction, privacy and behavior in orbit. For McClain, the outcome clears her of a damaging accusation and allows focus to return to her military and NASA service.