Space mission pay revealed: Here's how much Sunita and Butch earn for 285 days in space

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have spent more than 285 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS), following what was initially planned as an eight-day research mission. Their return has been delayed due to a malfunction in Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, but NASA’s Crew-10 mission is now progressing successfully. If conditions permit, the astronauts are expected to return to Earth on March 19.

While their extended stay in space has captured the attention of the world, many are curious about what Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will receive in compensation for their prolonged mission. Retired NASA astronaut Catherine Grace "Cady" Coleman recently shed light on the issue in an interview with Washingtonian.

According to Coleman, NASA astronauts do not receive any special overtime salary for their time spent in space. Since they are federal employees, their time in space is treated like any regular work trip on Earth. They continue to earn their standard pay, with NASA covering their food and living expenses while aboard the ISS. 

The only additional compensation astronauts receive is a small daily stipend for incidentals, which is reportedly just $4 (approximately Rs 347) per day. For Williams and Wilmore, who have been in space for over 287 days, this would add up to $1,148 (roughly Rs 1 lakh) each in additional compensation.

Both astronauts are classified under the GS-15 pay grade, which is the highest level for federal employees under the General Schedule (GS) system. Astronauts at this level earn an annual base salary ranging from $125,133 to $162,672 (approximately Rs 1.08 crore to Rs 1.41 crore).

Given their extended nine-month stay on the ISS, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will receive a prorated salary between $93,850 and $122,004 (approximately Rs 81 lakh to Rs 1.05 crore). When factoring in their additional stipend for incidentals, their total earnings for the mission are expected to range between $94,998 and $123,152 (approximately Rs 82 lakh to Rs 1.06 crore).