Nine months in space, but paid like a temp

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were on an eight-day business trip to the ISS that turned into a nine-month stay. Despite this, they receive no overtime pay and only a $4 daily stipend, highlighting the minimal compensation for t...

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Imagine signing up for an eight-day business trip and ending up marooned for nine months far from home. Unfortunately for Nasa astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, that's exactly what happened - only their office was the International Space Station (ISS). You'd think nearly a year in orbit would mean a juicy hardship allowance. Nope. As federal employees, astronauts' time is treated just like any regular business trip on Earth. 'They get a regular salary, no overtime, and Nasa takes care of transportation, lodging, and food,' astronaut Cady Coleman told Washingtonian. Williams and Wilmore will earn an annual salary between $125,133 and $162,672 - and a daily stipend, reportedly just $4 a day. Just $4 a day! So, after 287 days, they'll pocket only $1,148 in extras. Nasa insists Williams and Wilmore are not 'stranded' because they had 'ongoing work'. Sure. So, when your flight gets delayed nine hours, you're not 'stuck' at the airport - you're 'enjoying an immersive terminal experience'.

As Williams and Wilmore prepare to finally return to Earth from their business trip today, they've at least earned a performance review for the ages, if not overtime: 'Went above and beyond' - quite literally. 'Demonstrated stellar patience with both gravity and bureaucracy.' Recommend: bonus, therapy and a gravity adjustment.
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