Stranded astronauts to be paid a shocking amount after 8-day mission turns into months

Astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, who launched to the International Space Station in June 2024, were expected to stay for eight days. However, technical issues with their Boeing capsule, including a helium leak, have delayed their return, which NASA now expects to happen in March.

President Trump criticized the Biden administration for leaving the astronauts behind and called on Elon Musk and SpaceX to rescue them. Musk responded, confirming he would help. However, astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell clarified that the astronauts aren’t stranded, and NASA assures the public that Williams and Wilmore are in good health and high spirits, continuing their work in space.

While questions about their pay have arisen, retired astronaut Cady Coleman explained that astronauts are paid a standard salary plus a small daily allowance for incidentals, around $4 per day. For their extended stay, Williams and Wilmore would receive an extra $1,004.