Nine months too long in space: astronauts don't get paid for overtime
USA - The two US astronauts who had to stay on the ISS space station for an extra nine months after a spaceship malfunction will not be paid for this extra time!
As LiveNOW reports, NASA astronauts Suni Williams (59) and Butch Wilmore (62) returned from space after an incredible nine months - but they didn't get a penny extra for the involuntary overtime!
Their mission, which was originally only supposed to last a few days, was unintentionally extended due to an engine failure.
Instead of returning after a few days as planned, the two had to stay on board the ISS for a total of 286 days, maintaining the station and carrying out research work. It was not until March 18, 2025 that their capsule land ed off the coast of Florida.
Despite the extreme circumstances and the additional workload, Williams and Wilmore received no overtime pay, no hazard pay and no compensation for weekends or public holidays!
NASA confirmed that astronauts only receive a fixed salary for 40 hours per week - around 152,258 US dollars (around 141,140 euros) per year - and a meagre daily allowance of 4 to 5 US dollars (around 4 euros).
Trump wants to pay overtime "out of his own pocket"
As Fox Business reports, US President Donald Trump (78) has stated that he wants to personally take care of paying the astronauts' overtime.
If necessary, he would even be prepared to cover the costs "out of his own pocket".