Thu Nov 07 11:45:32 UTC 2024: ## Astronauts Vote from Space, Proving There’s No Excuse for You Not To

**Houston, TX** – While most Americans head to their local polling places on Election Day, four astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are casting their ballots from orbit. NASA astronauts Don Pettit, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Suni Williams are all participating in the 2024 election, proving that even from space, civic duty remains a priority.

“It’s a very important duty that we have as citizens,” said Williams during a September press call, adding that voting from space is “pretty cool.” Wilmore echoed her sentiment, revealing he had requested an absentee ballot just that day.

The astronauts’ unique voting experience stems from a series of events. Williams and Wilmore, originally part of the Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test, were unexpectedly stranded on the ISS for an extended period after the spacecraft malfunctioned.

While on the ISS, they joined the SpaceX Crew-9 mission and were assigned as crew members. Though their stay on the ISS extended their mission significantly, they still managed to participate in the election, highlighting the importance of voting even in the face of unforeseen circumstances.

Hague and Pettit, who knew they’d be in space during the election, likely filled out Federal Postcard Applications (FPCAs) before launching to the station, ensuring they could vote absentee.

Texas legislation, passed in 1997, specifically allows astronauts to cast ballots from orbit. NASA astronaut David Wolf became the first American to vote from space during his mission on Russia’s Mir Space Station.

To facilitate this unique process, NASA’s Space Communication and Navigation (SCaN) Program ensures ballots are securely transmitted. Astronauts fill out electronic ballots on the ISS, which are then sent through NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System to a ground antenna in New Mexico. From there, the ballot is transferred to Mission Control at NASA Johnson and then to the county clerk for casting.

With the ease of voting from space, there’s no excuse for any American to skip their civic duty. For help with voter registration, finding polling places, or any election-related questions, visit USA.gov.

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