NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams finally returned to Earth after an unexpected nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The duo launched on June 5, 2024, aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft for what was supposed to be an eight-day test mission. However, due to technical issues with the spacecraft’s propulsion system, their return was repeatedly delayed.
Instead of a week, Wilmore and Williams spent a staggering 286 days in orbit. Their ordeal came to an end on March 18, 2025, when a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule delivered replacement astronauts to the ISS, allowing them to return home. Despite their extended stay, the two astronauts won’t be receiving any overtime or hazard pay for their additional time in space.
No Overtime, No Hazard Pay
NASA confirmed that astronauts receive a fixed government salary that follows a 40-hour workweek structure, even when they are in space. They do not receive overtime pay, holiday pay, or hazard pay—despite the dangers and uncertainties of space travel. Wilmore and Williams’ salaries range from $100,000 to $155,000 annually, in line with NASA’s pay scale.
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The only extra compensation they received for their extended mission was a small incidental stipend of $5 per day. Over the course of their 286-day stay, this amounted to just $1,430 each. NASA officials explained that astronauts on long-term missions are considered to be on “official travel orders” as federal employees, meaning their transportation, lodging, and meals are provided, but their salaries remain fixed.
The Risks and Realities of Space Travel
While the idea of spending nearly a year in space might sound exciting, the reality of such a long mission comes with significant risks. The ISS orbits Earth at about 28,000 kilometers per hour, exposing astronauts to high levels of radiation, extreme temperatures, and the constant threat of micrometeoroid impacts. Additionally, being away from their families for months on end and working in a high-pressure environment adds to the physical and mental challenges of the job.
Despite these risks, astronauts like Williams and Wilmore accept that their careers don’t come with financial incentives such as overtime or hazard pay. According to Ken Bowersox, NASA’s associate administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, astronauts are trained to focus on completing their missions rather than worrying about their return dates or paychecks.
Public Reaction: The Internet Weighs In
News of Wilmore and Williams’ lack of extra compensation quickly sparked reactions online, with many people expressing shock at NASA’s pay structure. One Instagram user joked, “And I was angry because of 1 hour,” highlighting the stark contrast between regular workplace complaints and the extreme conditions astronauts endure without additional pay.
While some found the situation unfair, others pointed out that astronauts aren’t in it for the money. Space exploration has long been a dream for many, and for those who pursue it, the experience itself is often worth more than financial rewards.
Mission of Dedication and Exploration
Despite the unexpected extension of their mission, Wilmore and Williams remained committed to their work aboard the ISS. Throughout their nine months in orbit, they contributed to ongoing scientific research, helped maintain the station, and conducted crucial technology demonstrations. Wilmore worked on configuring a new airlock, while Williams participated in athleticism tests in zero gravity.
Their efforts helped advance NASA’s knowledge of long-duration spaceflight, paving the way for future missions. Even though they spent far longer in space than planned, both astronauts maintained a positive outlook, rejecting the idea that they were “stranded” or “abandoned.”
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With Wilmore and Williams back on Earth, the new Crew-10 team—comprising NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov—has now taken their place aboard the ISS. Their mission is expected to last six months, significantly shorter than the unexpectedly extended stay of their predecessors.