Official NASA announcements or technology updates

NASA Astronauts Butch Wilmore, Sunita Williams, and Don Pettit Vote from Space on Election Day 2024, Using Encrypted Ballots

Nov 5, 2024, 03:41 PM

On Election Day 2024, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore, Sunita Williams, and Don Pettit successfully cast their votes from the International Space Station (ISS). These astronauts utilized encrypted ballots transmitted via NASA’s satellite network, ensuring their participation in the electoral process while orbiting approximately 250 miles above Earth. Their voting coincides with over 1.2 million early voters in Harris County, Texas. The astronauts' ability to vote from space underscores the reliability and security of the voting process, as emphasized by NASA. Sunita Williams, in particular, expressed her pride in being an American and participating in the election from space, sharing a photo with fellow astronauts to mark the occasion.