NASA is reported to be investigating a claim that an astronaut accessed the bank account of her estranged spouse from the International Space Station, in what may be the first allegation of a crime committed in space.

The New York Times reports that Anne McClain acknowledges accessing the account from the ISS but denies any wrongdoing.

Her estranged spouse, Summer Worden, reportedly filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.

Ms McClain has since returned to Earth.

NNR/Hassan