An American astronaut earns around 130,000 euros per year, plus a small sum for accessory expenses, but extraordinary are not paid.
The astronaut, in the United States, is a well -paid job, but extraordinary are not recognized even if you remain blocked in orbit, as happened to Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams of NASA.
The two unfortunate spatial navigators, in fact, were considered on a business trip, even if they were blocked on the “workplace” nine months more than in charge.
Unexpected events of the trade. Due to a Boeing Starliner navicella that brought them to orbit, the two spent on the International Space Station 278 days more than the 8 backed, before returning to the ground with a Spacex Crew Navicella Crew Dragon.
In the extra time they have made 900 hours of scientific research and lost bone and muscle mass, but without particular economic awards: NASA does not provide for the payment of extraordinary for more working hours, unused holidays or holidays in space.
EMPLOYEES. As Jimi Russell, spokesperson for the management of missions for the space operations of the American Agency, explained, the astronauts on a mission are considered federal employees in the travel of work, and as such, they receive an indemnity of 5 dollars per day for accessory expenses (which is not clear what they are, 400 km from the earth).
For the months not binding on the ISS, Williams and Wilmore have therefore received around 1,430 extra dollars (1,250 euros), in addition to their normal annual salary of 152,258 gross dollars (about 130 thousand euros), 22,000 dollars less than a members of the congress is paid in the USA.
