NASA investigates the first crime in space: how the law works there

NASA is investigating a statement that astronaut Ann McClain has gained access from the International Space Station to the bank account of her former lesbian partner.

Фото: Depositphotos

This may be the first crime in space, writes Air force.

Anne McClain confirms that she has logged in with the ISS, but denies any wrongdoing, according to the New York Times.

Her former partner Summer Warden filed a complaint with the US Federal Trade Commission.

Through a lawyer, the astronaut told the New York Times that she was only convinced that her family finances were in order: she had enough money to pay bills and take care of her son Summer Warden, whom they raised together before the divorce.

Investigators from the Office of the Inspector General of NASA have contacted both sides of the case, according to the New York Times.

Anne McClain graduated from the prestigious West Point Military Academy, participated in hostilities in Iraq and has combat missions lasting more than 800 hours. She underwent special training as a test pilot, and in the 2013 year she was chosen to work at NASA.

She spent six months aboard the ISS and was supposed to participate in the first ever female space mission. But last minute flight canceled due to lack of the necessary suit.

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How does law work in space?

Legal arrangements agreed upon by the five nations that own the space station - the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan and Canada - make people and property in space part of national law.

Therefore, if a Canadian citizen commits a “space crime”, he will be tried under Canadian law, and a Russian citizen – under Russian law. At the same time, Europe is considered a single state within the framework of space law.

Any European state can extend the scope of its national laws and regulations to European equipment and personnel in space.

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Space law also contains provisions on extradition to Earth if one country wants to hold a citizen of another country accountable for guilt in space.

With the development of space tourism, it may be necessary to prosecute crimes in space, but the laws themselves have not yet been tested in practice.

NASA told the New York Times that they were not aware of any crimes committed at the space station.

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