NASA Astronauts Were Stuck in Orbit Risking Their Lives Stranded in Space for Nine Months—And NASA Is Paying Them Peanuts

What was meant to be a brief eight-day test flight turned into a staggering nine-month ordeal for NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams. But despite enduring months in orbit, facing physical strain, mental isolation, and the complications of a failed spacecraft, they’re likely to receive a surprisingly small financial bonus for their trouble.

NASA Astronauts’ Daily Pay is Shockingly Low

NASA expects to compensate the pair with what’s known as “incidental” pay. It is a small daily allowance astronauts receive while on mission. According to former astronaut Cady Coleman, that figure was around $4 a day during her time at NASA.

“For me it was around $4 a day,” she told The Washingtonian.

If that figure still stands, Williams and Wilmore may each receive just over $1,000 in additional compensation for their 286-day stay in orbit. However, it is possible that the daily rate may have risen to fall more in-line with inflation.

Regular Salary, No Overtime

Astronauts are salaried government employees and, as such, receive a fixed annual pay ranging between $125,133 and $162,672 depending on experience and seniority. This base pay continues during missions, regardless of how long they’re extended.

The Washingtonian noted: “They get their regular salary, no overtime, and NASA takes care of transportation, lodging, and food.”

This means that despite their mission ballooning from days to months, their pay remained essentially the same, save for a modest incidental top-up.

A Stark Contrast to the Risk

The minimal compensation may come as a surprise, especially compared to the realities of long-duration space missions. Astronauts face weakened muscles, bone density loss, radiation exposure, and emotional strain. They endure these challenges while being thousands of kilometers from home with no clear return date.