Summer Heather Worden, a former U.S. Air Force intelligence officer, has pleaded guilty to lying to law enforcement in a case tied to her allegations against her ex-wife, NASA astronaut Anne McClain. Worden’s claims included accusations that McClain illegally accessed her personal bank account from the International Space Station, marking what she claimed could be the first crime committed in outer space.
Worden, aged 50 and residing in Sedgwick County, Kansas, submitted her guilty plea on November 13, as announced by the U.S. District Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas on November 18. She alleged that McClain had guessed the password for her bank account and accessed it without permission in July 2019. However, investigators revealed that the account was opened by Worden in April 2018 and that both individuals shared access until January 2019 when Worden changed the login credentials. The investigation concluded that Worden had previously granted her ex-spouse access to her financial records, including login details, dating back to 2015.
Worden and McClain were married in 2014 and finalized their divorce in 2020 amidst contentious legal battles, including allegations of assault from both sides, which ultimately were dismissed. Their divorce proceedings featured a custody dispute over their son, who was six years old at the time.
Anne McClain, aged 46, has an accomplished background as a West Point graduate and former military officer who served in Iraq before joining NASA in 2013. In 2023, she commanded NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission, returning to Earth in August after completing her mission.
Following Worden’s allegations, NASA’s inspector general and the Federal Trade Commission investigated the claims. U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett has scheduled Worden’s sentencing for February 12, 2026. She faces a potential sentence of up to five years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, though she is allowed to remain on bond until sentencing.
This case highlights the complex intersection of personal disputes and the legal system, especially when they involve individuals in high-profile positions. It serves as a reminder of the serious consequences that can arise from false allegations, particularly in the context of family and divorce.