The image of Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams finally on Earth will be possibly one of the 2025 snapshots. To remember their rugged story in space after the multiple leaks and failures of the Boeing Starliner. If you are wondering if it is worth being an astronaut after such a case, the answer is given by the bonus that they will receive for that time “more” in orbit.
It is not a matter of money.
It goes for long. As we count, astronauts Williams and Wilmore finally returned to Earth after nine months have passed in space, a much longer period than initially planned. His mission aboard the Boeing Starliner began in June 2024 and had to last just over a week. However, a ruling in the capsule propellars prevented its correct coupling with the International Space Station (EEI), leaving astronauts stranded in orbit until the technical problems were solved.
The delay generated great anxiety in social networks, with many speculating about the safety and well -being of astronauts. However, Williams and Wilmore remained firm in their commitment to the mission and denied the statements that they were “abandoned” or “trapped.” In fact and according to Wilmore himself, these types of unforeseen events are part of the work and are something for which they are prepared.
The economic sacrifice. Despite the extreme challenges they face, the truth is that NASA astronauts do not receive additional compensation for the danger of their missions or for long hours of work in space. Williams and Wilmore earn a salary that is public: an annual amount of $ 152,258 based on updated NASA rates. However, and here is the Quid that differentiates it with other types of “ordinary” works, the salary does not include payment for extra hours, holidays or dangerous conditions, a notable difference with respect to many other well -paid professions on earth.
According to Mike Massimino, former NASA astronaut, “there is no extra pay due to danger, or compensation for working more time in space,” which means that, despite having spent nine months in orbit instead of a week, astronauts will not receive any additional remuneration. The closest thing to an “extra” pay you receive is a small daily stipend of 5 dollars for being in space, a very small amount and we would say that ridiculous, adding only $ 1,430 for the 286 days that passed in the US.
What does NASA say. For its part, the American space agency argues that astronauts have all their expenses covered, including transportation, accommodation and food during their stay in the US. Again, compared to other work of high salaries that do not imply physical risks, astronaut’s pay may seem disproportionate, especially if we take into account the danger they face.
It is not a matter of money. This takes us to the other Quid of being an astronaut. While other professions with similar salaries, let’s put a bank worker, or a notary, allow working in comfortable environments without exposure to mortal hazards, space exploration implies isolation, uncertainty and constant risk. And, even so, many astronauts choose this race. The key seems clear: they do it by pure vocation and passion for space, rather than for economic reasons.
Being Astronaut is still a dream of childhood for many. In fact, a 2019 Lego study revealed that more than 10% of children in the United States and the United Kingdom continued to aspire to become astronauts, despite the boom of new professions such as the creators of digital content. For Williams and Wilmore, the possibility of contributing to space exploration and scientific research surely exceeds any financial sacrifice.
It is not a wait, it is a mission. In addition, we must understand that, throughout their stay in the US, Williams and Wilmore not only expected their return home, but actively worked on the maintenance and improvement of the station. Nine months give a lot, and there they were with tasks such as inspection and repair of hardware, loading of loading and supplies, support of scientific experiments and technological demonstrations, configuration of a new air lock system or with physical activity tests in microgravity.
In summary, his time in orbit contributed to NASA’s scientific knowledge and the maintenance of the EEI as a key center for space exploration.
Resistance and commitment. No doubt, for many of us the simple idea of being stranded in space may seem an unimaginable nightmare. But for astronauts like Williams and Wilmore, it is simply part of the work. According to Ken Bowersox, NASA’s Head of Space Operations, astronauts are trained not to focus on when they will return, but in the success of the mission.
Perhaps for this reason, and beyond the money they receive, what happened is a good reminder that, in space exploration, motivation and resilience are as important as technology itself.
Image | POT
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