Sunita Williams, a renowned NASA astronaut, has significantly contributed to space exploration, inspiring millions around the globe. While her dedication to science is immeasurable, her earnings as a NASA astronaut are governed by the structured U.S. government pay scale.
NASA astronauts, including Sunita, are classified within the General Schedule (GS) pay scale, with most falling under the GS-15 level. This grade offers an annual base salary ranging between $125,133 and $162,672 (approximately ₹1.08 crore to ₹1.41 crore). For missions such as her nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS), astronauts receive prorated compensation estimated between $93,850 and $122,004 (₹81 lakh to ₹1.05 crore).
Astronauts do not receive overtime pay for extended missions. Instead, a small daily stipend of $4 (₹347) is allocated for incidentals, which totals to $1,148 (approximately ₹1 lakh) for a 287-day mission like Sunita’s.
Despite the inherent risks and responsibilities, astronauts like Sunita Williams continue to inspire humanity through their relentless pursuit of knowledge and exploration. Their contributions extend far beyond monetary value, enriching humanity's understanding of the universe and advancing scientific discovery.