Those who went on eight-day mission had to stay for nine months; How much is NASA paying Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore as additional compensation?

NEW DELHI: NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were on an eight-day mission. However, they have been stuck on the International Space Station (ISS) for more than nine months due to unexpected technical problems. The two are expected to return to Earth on March 19 in the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The possible amount that Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will receive is being discussed now.

Retired NASA astronaut Cady Coleman says astronauts do not receive special overtime pay. Since astronauts are federal employees, the time they spend in space is treated like regular work hours on Earth. They will receive their regular pay while in space. However, NASA will cover their food and living expenses on the ISS. The only additional compensation they will receive is a small daily stipend that is given to accident victims. According to the report, it will be just four dollars (Rs 347) per day.

During her 159-day mission in 2010-11, Coleman had received an additional $636 (about Rs. 55,000). Accordingly, Sunita and Wilmore, who spent more than 287 days in space, are expected to receive an additional compensation of $1,148 (about Rs. 1 lakh).

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are in the GS-15 pay grade, the highest pay grade for federal employees under the General Schedule (GS) schedule. GS-15 employees have an annual base salary of $125,133 to $162,672 (approximately Rs. 1.08 crore to Rs. 1.41 crore).

Sunita and Wilmore will receive a salary ranging from $93,850 to $122,004 (approximately Rs. 81 lakh to Rs. 1.05 crore) for their nine-month stay on the ISS. Including a stipend of $1,148 (approximately Rs. 1 lakh), the total amount they will receive for the mission will be between $94,998 and $123,152 (approximately Rs. 82 lakh to Rs. 1.06 crore), according to reports.