NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have finally returned to Earth after an unplanned 286-day mission — a staggering 278 days longer than the originally scheduled eight-day test flight. The duo, who became household names during their extended stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS), splashed down safely in the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday night aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.
An 8-Day Mission Turned Into a 9-Month Space Saga
Wilmore and Williams embarked on their journey in June 2023 aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft for what was meant to be a short test flight. However, due to technical issues and delays, their mission stretched into an unexpected space odyssey, making them the face of resilience in the space exploration community.
Despite the prolonged mission, their return was met with relief and admiration. Within an hour of landing, both astronauts were seen waving and smiling as they were helped out of the capsule and taken for routine medical checks.
How Much Will NASA Pay Them for the Extended Mission?
Former astronaut Cady Coleman revealed that astronauts don’t receive traditional overtime pay for extended missions. Instead, they’re compensated like other federal workers on business trips. Back in 2010, Coleman received around $4 per day for incidentals during her 159-day mission — amounting to a modest $636 in total.
Currently, the federal per diem allowance stands at $178 per day. If Wilmore and Williams qualify for this higher rate, they could each receive approximately $51,000 in additional pay for their extended stay in space.
Besides the incidental pay, both astronauts hold a GS-15 ranking on the US General Pay Schedule, which means their base salaries range between $125,000 and $163,000 per year.
Historic Return and a New Chapter for NASA
While other astronauts have logged longer spaceflights over the decades, none have faced such prolonged uncertainty. Their successful return marks a significant milestone for both NASA and Boeing as the agency looks to expand its deep-space exploration capabilities.
Wilmore and Williams’ resilience and professionalism have not only captivated the world but also reinforced NASA’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of human space exploration.
