The allegations made against US astronaut Lieutenant-Colonel Anne McClain just over a year ago raised complex legal questions around criminal jurisdiction in space.

Colonel McClain’s wife, Summer Worden, accused her of stealing her identity to unlawfully access her bank account from the International Space Station (ISS).

However, NASA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigated the matter and concluded no “space crime” was committed.

Ms Worden has now been charged in Texas with making false statements to the NASA-OIG and the FTC on two occasions.

She faces up to five years in prison on each count and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.