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After an unexpected 286-day extension to their space mission, astronauts were surprised to find themselves not receiving overtime pay. Instead, they were given a $5-a-day allowance to cover “incidents,” raising questions about how valued these professionals are.
When Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore blasted off into space last June, they expected an eight-day test flight aboard Boeing's Starliner capsule. But the mission took a turn for the worse. Technical issues delayed the return of the astronauts, which spent 286 days orbiting the Earth. Last Tuesday, they finally returned, landing in the Gulf of Mexico.
The extra time in space was unplanned, but it did bring an unexpected twist: The astronauts’ incomes did not change. As federal employees on official business, Williams and Wilmore received no extra pay for the extended time.
No overtime, no bonus
NASA astronauts are civil servants on business trips. According to Jimi Russell, a spokesperson for NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate, that means they are not entitled to overtime, hazard pay or vacation pay.
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"While in space, NASA astronauts are on official travel orders as federal employees.“, Russell said.
The only additional compensation was a $5 daily allowance for unexpected expenses. The amount follows the standard set by the U.S. General Services Administration, which covers fees and tips for porters, hotel staff and the like.
In total, the two astronauts received just $1.430 extra for the additional 286 days in space. This is on top of their standard annual salary of $152.258.
Risks and responsibility, but no salary increase
The career of an astronaut involves high risks, intensive training and long periods away from family. However, the salary structure does not reflect these challenges. Mike Massimino, former astronaut and veteran of two Space Shuttle missions, questions the situation: “There is no hazard pay, no overtime, no time compensation. There is no financial incentive to stay in space longer.".
Despite this, Williams and Wilmore did not show any discontent. During an interview in September, Williams stated: “This is my happy place. I love being here in space. It's just fun, you know.? "
Wilmore also rejected the idea that they were “stranded” or “abandoned.” In February, he responded to comments about the delay in the mission: “We don't feel abandoned, we don't feel trapped, we don't feel stranded.. "
The spirit of the astronauts' mission
NASA's space operations mission chief, Ken Bowersox, a former astronaut himself, explained that such consideration is part of the job: “Every astronaut that launches into space, we teach them not to think about when you're going to get home. Think about how well your mission is going and if you're lucky, you might get to stay longer."
During the additional 286 days, Williams and Wilmore did not sit idle. They conducted scientific research, operated equipment and performed maintenance on the International Space Station.
Wilmore helped set up a new decompression chamber, while Williams tested athletic performance in zero gravity.
She also set an important record: she spent 62 hours and 6 minutes on space travel, becoming the female astronaut with the longest time outside the ISS. The previous record was held by Peggy Whitson.
Modest compensation, but passion for the profession
For astronauts, the passion for space seems to outweigh the financial issue. Clayton Anderson, who spent 152 days on the space station in 2007, commented on social media about the salary reality of the profession: “Being an astronaut was amazing and my dream job, but it is a government job with government pay.. "
At the time of his mission, the daily allowance for incidental expenses was only $1,20, which gave him an extra income of only $172.
Even without additional financial incentives, the possibility of seeing Earth from space and conducting experiments continues to attract those who dream of becoming astronauts. But fewer would disagree if NASA decided to review this policy and offer fairer compensation for those who spend months in space.
With information from ZME Science.
