NASA's two stuck astronauts just got their space mission extended again. That means they won't be back until spring, 10 months after rocketing into orbit on Boeing's Starliner capsule.
Seems like that could breed resentment in the minds of astronauts who get stuck, like Butch and Suni. As cool as working in space would be, it’s still work. Combined with the toll that microgravity takes on the body, and missing my loved ones, I’d be wanting some “extra” compensation for my time and health.
I looked up astronaut pay and it says it’s between $100-180,000.
Somewhat depressing that people can make more sitting in their house writing code working remote than someone who is risking their life on space missions. I guess you do get food and housing paid for that whole time, but wow.
So, real nuts and bolts question here. How does this affect their pay? Are they being paid extra to be up there so long? I would want overtime.
I don’t think they do.
No TDY? No “space time” pay?
Huh. Kinda surprising.
Seems like that could breed resentment in the minds of astronauts who get stuck, like Butch and Suni. As cool as working in space would be, it’s still work. Combined with the toll that microgravity takes on the body, and missing my loved ones, I’d be wanting some “extra” compensation for my time and health.
I looked up astronaut pay and it says it’s between $100-180,000. Somewhat depressing that people can make more sitting in their house writing code working remote than someone who is risking their life on space missions. I guess you do get food and housing paid for that whole time, but wow.
What’s worse? You can’t quit.
Imagine them getting radicalized by the Russians and deciding to Unionize while on the ISS.
Might backfire if your life support teams down in Houston go on strike.
Fun fact, they don’t get paid during a government shutdown.
I have to think that if there are bonuses (probably not in a government org), they’d take that into account. Otherwise, probably not.