NASA’s Shocking Pay for Sunita Williams’ 9-Month Space Stay Will Leave You Stunned

How Much NASA Could Pay Sunita Williams - NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were on an eight-day mission, but due to sudden technical problems. However, now both of them are preparing to return to Earth aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft before March 19, so the amount of money they will receive for their long stay in space has become a topic of discussion.

Nine Months in Space

They continue to earn their regular salary, with NASA covering their food and living expenses on the ISS. The only additional compensation they receive is a small daily stipend for incidental expenses which will be just $4 (Rs 347) per day.For reference, Coleman received a total of about $636 (over Rs 55,000) in additional pay during his 159-day mission in 2010-11. Using the same calculation, Williams and Wilmore will likely receive just $1,148 (roughly Rs 1 lakh) each in additional compensation after spending more than 287 days in space. NASA has said that the astronauts are not technically stranded, as they are actively working on the ISS.

How much salary is Sunita Williams expected to get?
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are classified at the GS-15 pay grade, the highest level for federal employees under the General Schedule system. GS-15 government employees receive annual salaries between $125,133 - $162,672 (roughly Rs. 1.08 crores - Rs. 1.41 crores). Sunita Williams and Wilmore will receive prorated pay between $93,850 - $122,004 (roughly Rs. 81 lakhs - Rs. 1.05 crores) for their extended 9-month stay on the ISS. Including $1,148 (roughly Rs. 1 lakhs) in contingent pay, their total earnings for the mission are expected to be $94,998 - $123,152 (roughly Rs. 82 lakhs - Rs. 1.06 crores).