Starliner Astronauts Made Almost $5 Per Day While Being Stuck In Space

When NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore embarked on their mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner, they expected to spend just eight days in space. Instead, they endured a staggering 286-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) due to unexpected technical failures. While the world marveled at their resilience, their compensation remained shockingly modest.

According to NASA spokesman Jimi Russell, astronauts receive the same travel allowances as any other government employee on a business trip. That means no overtime, no hazard pay, and no bonuses for their extended mission. Their additional compensation? A mere $5 per day for “unexpected expenses”—a sum typically meant for tipping hotel staff or covering minor costs. Over their extended stay, that amounted to just $1,430 in total.

Despite facing the risks of prolonged microgravity and the uncertainties of their return journey, Williams and Wilmore continued their mission without financial incentives. Their annual salary of approximately $152,000 remained unchanged, equating to about $12,600 per month—far from what most would expect for astronauts stranded in space.

This isn’t the first time astronauts have faced such an issue. In 2007, NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson, who spent 152 days in space, received a daily allowance of only $1.20. While astronauts recognize their work as a dream job, they acknowledge the stark reality of government pay scales.

The real question is whether such a system fairly compensates those who risk their lives for scientific advancement. Despite NASA’s praise for their heroism, financial policies remain unchanged since the Apollo era. Yet, astronauts like Williams and Wilmore remain undeterred, proving that for them, the pursuit of space exploration is worth more than any paycheck.