Produced by: Tarun Mishra
NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are set to cast their ballots in the 2024 U.S. election, highlighting that civic duty can extend beyond Earth's boundaries. The four American astronauts on board—Don Pettit, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Sunita Williams—are participating from orbit.
Sunita Williams emphasized the importance of voting, calling it a critical responsibility as citizens. Speaking with reporters, she noted how voting from space is an opportunity NASA makes accessible, allowing astronauts to fulfill their civic duties while away from Earth.
Since most NASA astronauts reside in Texas, the Texas Legislature passed a law in 1997 allowing them to vote from space. This was first utilized by astronaut David Wolf in 1997, setting a precedent for future spacefaring voters.
To cast their votes, astronauts fill out an electronic ballot aboard the ISS. NASA transmits these votes using the agency’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System to a ground antenna in New Mexico. From there, the ballot goes to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, then to the local county clerk, who securely records it.
NASA ensures that the voting process is secure by encrypting each ballot. Only the astronaut and the county clerk handling the ballot have access, maintaining privacy and integrity.
Williams and Wilmore had initially arrived on the ISS aboard the Boeing Starliner for a brief mission but remained in space after the Starliner encountered thruster issues. They later became part of SpaceX Crew-9, allowing them to still vote as planned.
Astronauts often complete a Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) before launching, enabling absentee voting. This method is available to U.S. military personnel and civilians overseas, as well as astronauts in space.
NASA’s Space Communication and Navigation (SCaN) program plays a key role in enabling space-based voting. The electronic ballot submission route includes ground stations and satellite relay, ensuring smooth and secure delivery from space to Earth.