Astronauts Make History by Voting from Space

Election day in the United States is right around the corner on Tuesday, November 4th, and this year, American astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are making history by participating in the democratic process from orbit!

Who Are the Astronauts?

Currently, four U.S. astronauts are on the ISS: NASA's Don Pettit, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Suni Williams. These space pioneers aren't just conducting cutting-edge research; they're also ensuring their voices are heard by casting their votes alongside more than 160 million Americans.

Importance of Voting from Space

Suni Williams expressed the importance of this civic duty during a press call in September, stating, "It's a very important duty that we have as citizens." She added, "Voting from space is pretty cool!" Wilmore also highlighted how user-friendly NASA makes the voting process, revealing that he requested his absentee ballot on the day of the call.

Unforeseen Circumstances

Interestingly, when Williams and Wilmore launched on the Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test on June 5, they did not anticipate needing to vote from space. Their mission was originally intended to last a week, but things took a turn when the Starliner faced several thruster malfunctions. As a result, they remained aboard the ISS for three months, which included extensive testing and modifications before the spacecraft could safely return to Earth.

Adapting to Extended Missions

Despite the extended stay, these astronauts adapted quickly and took on additional roles aboard the station. They were later reassigned to SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission, ensuring they could still participate actively in their roles, work on experiments, and of course, vote in the 2024 election. If astronauts can find the time to vote while living and working in space, it stands to reason that everyone on Earth should step up to fulfill their civic responsibilities too!

Preparation for Voting

Pettit and Hague, on the other hand, anticipated voting while in orbit and had completed Federal Postcard Applications (FPCAs) prior to their launch. This crucial step is essential for U.S. citizens and military personnel stationed overseas, allowing them to seamlessly participate in elections from anywhere in the universe.

Texas Legislation for Astronaut Voting

Located in Houston, Texas, NASA's Johnson Space Center not only trains astronauts but also serves as their home base, leading most astronauts to register to vote in Texas. To ensure their participation even in the vacuum of space, Texas Legislature passed a bill in 1997 that enables astronauts to cast their ballots from orbit. The first American to achieve this feat was astronaut David Wolf while aboard Russia’s Mir Space Station that same year.

The Voting Process from Space

The voting process from space is more high-tech than ever, thanks to NASA's Space Communication and Navigation Program. After astronauts fill out their electronic ballots aboard the ISS, their votes are transmitted through NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System to a ground antenna at the White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico. From there, ballots are securely relayed to the Mission Control Center at NASA Johnson and then forwarded to the relevant county clerk, all while maintaining strict encryption protocols to protect the integrity of each vote.

A Call to Civic Engagement

As we approach this historic election, astronauts remind us of the importance of civic engagement, regardless of where we are. If they can take a moment for democracy while 400 kilometers above the Earth, what’s stopping you?