NASA Investigates First Space Crime

If the shuttles, the modules or even the satellites were talking, surely we couldn't write what I'm about to write: NASA claims to be investigating the first crime committed in space.

And I'm sorry for lovers of crime novels, spy movies or political thrillers, because if the investigation ends up condemning Anne McClain it won't make any gender argument: the first crime in space would be identity theft.

Divorces, space stations and identity theft

Anne McClain, a NASA astronaut since 2013, is not being investigated for anything work-related, but for something she did during the six months she spent at the International Space Station: gaining improper access to her ex-partner's bank accounts using NASA technology to intrude on their bonds.

Summer Worden, now McClain's ex-wife, filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, first, and then with NASA's Office of the Inspector General. The astronaut acknowledges access to the accounts, but denies having done anything wrong: Now, according to the New York Times, a special team of investigators wants to get to the bottom of the matter.

From McClain's point of view, access to accounts was part of the administrative routine of family home finances, though Worden denies it. As he explained under oath to investigators at NASA's Inspector General, no funds were moved from the accounts or used in any way.

It's not clear what will be left, although some analysts are already connecting the scandal to NASA's decision in March to cancel the 100% female spacewalk for supposedly "lack of suits. McClain was one of those who had to participate in that mission and, although NASA has denied it, the timing is striking (the cancellation occurred a few days after the denunciation).

Is there law in space?

Beyond the specific case, what makes this case relevant is the legal status of the actions that occur in Space. The 1976 International Outer Space Treaty already set out how to proceed: if there was a crime in space, the suspect would be arrested and tried upon arrival on Earth.

Under space law, similar to what happens in international waters, the nation under whose flag the spacecraft operates and the nation of the suspect will be responsible for prosecuting the crimes committed. In other words, even in space there is no escape for criminals.