After spending over nine months in space, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have finally returned to Earth. Their mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) was initially planned for just eight days, but unexpected challenges prolonged their stay significantly. Despite spending far more time in space than originally intended, reports confirm that the two astronauts will not receive any overtime pay, sparking public discussion and prompting a response from former President Donald Trump.
Unlike employees in other industries, NASA astronauts are considered federal government workers, meaning their salaries follow the General Schedule pay scale. According to NASA regulations, they are not eligible for additional pay for working overtime, weekends, or holidays. Since space travel is classified as official duty, their extended stay does not qualify for extra wages. Instead, they receive only necessities such as food and accommodations during their mission.
Astronauts also receive a small daily stipend of $4 for incidentals, which adds up to approximately $1,430 over their 286-day stay in orbit. Their standard salaries range between $94,998 and $123,152 annually, depending on experience and rank.
When asked about the situation, President Trump expressed surprise that the astronauts were not being compensated for their prolonged stay. “Nobody’s ever mentioned this to me. If I have to, I’ll pay it out of my pocket,” he remarked. Upon learning that the astronauts received only $4 per day for expenses, he responded, “Is that all? That’s not much for what they had to endure.”
During a press conference at the Oval Office, Trump also extended his appreciation to Elon Musk, whose SpaceX played a crucial role in bringing the astronauts home safely. “If we didn’t have Elon, they could’ve been up there much longer,” he stated, emphasizing the physical toll of extended space travel.
Now back on Earth, Williams and Wilmore must undergo extensive rehabilitation to readjust to gravity. Their recovery process will include rigorous strength training and movement exercises to rebuild muscle mass and bone density, both of which are affected by prolonged exposure to microgravity.
