NASA Astronauts’ Pay Structure: A Closer Look at Compensation in Space
Retired NASA astronaut Cady Coleman has revealed that astronauts do not receive special overtime salaries for their time spent in space; rather, they are paid as regular federal employees. Coleman, who served on a 159-day mission, explained that astronauts continue to earn their regular salaries while NASA covers their food and living expenses aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
During their missions, astronauts receive a modest daily stipend for incidental expenses—reportedly just $4 (approximately Rs 347) a day. For Coleman, her 2010-11 mission resulted in around $636 (over Rs 55,000) in additional pay. Similarly, astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have now spent more than 287 days in space, are expected to receive approximately $1,148 (around Rs 1 lakh) each in extra compensation.
While some may perceive their extended stay as being “stranded,” NASA clarifies that the astronauts have been actively engaged in their work on the ISS. Williams and Wilmore are classified under the GS-15 pay grade, the highest for federal employees, with annual salaries ranging from $125,133 to $162,672 (approximately Rs 1.08 crore to Rs 1.41 crore).
For their prolonged nine-month mission, their prorated salaries will be between $93,850 and $122,004 (approximately Rs 81 lakh to Rs 1.05 crore). Taking into account the additional daily stipend, their total earnings for the mission are anticipated to range from $94,998 to $123,152 (approximately Rs 82 lakh to Rs 1.06 crore). This transparency regarding compensation highlights the unique yet grounded reality of life for astronauts in space.
Source
Photo credit www.ndtv.com
