In a surprising revelation, NASA has announced that astronauts who recently returned after a grueling nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will not receive overtime pay for their extended stay. This assertion was made public by agency officials on Friday.

Under NASA’s current regulations, astronauts are compensated based on a 40-hour workweek salary, which averages around $152,258 annually. As federal employees, they benefit from covered transportation, lodging, and meals during their missions, which seems fitting considering the unique demands of their work environment. However, this compensation structure has raised eyebrows, especially in light of their unexpected extended time in orbit.

Currently, astronauts like Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams, whose mission was originally slated to last just one week, will receive additional incidental pay of $5 per day. With their mission extending 278 days beyond expectations, both will see a mere $1,390 extra in their paychecks for their extraordinary commitment.

Interestingly, former President Donald Trump weighed in on the issue, suggesting he might personally cover the costs if necessary. “Nobody ever mentioned this to me. If I have to, I’ll pay it out of my own pocket? OK, I’ll get it for them. Is that all? That’s not a lot. For what they had to go through,” he remarked on Friday, echoing sentiments shared by many who believe that astronauts’ sacrifices deserve greater recognition.

Initially, the mission was complicated by serious mechanical issues linked to Boeing's Starliner capsule, which was meant to safely return Wilmore and Williams to Earth. The capsule faced significant challenges, including thruster malfunctions and helium leaks, prompting NASA to extend their stay on the ISS.

Over the course of their lengthy orbit, both astronauts engaged in a multitude of high-stakes experiments and conducted several spacewalks, including groundbreaking work with Astrobees, a series of free-flying robots intended to assist in future missions.

Now that they have safely returned to Earth, Wilmore and Williams will embark on a comprehensive rehabilitation program to readjust to the effects of gravity—a critical process for any astronaut after long durations in space. They will undergo a few days of medical observation before reuniting with their families.

As NASA continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, questions about fair compensation and recognition for astronauts’ remarkable contributions remain at the forefront. Will this lead to a reexamination of policies regarding astronaut pay? Only time will tell!