Donald Trump was asked if Sunita Williams would get overtime pay. His response?

Photo : AP

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, two NASA astronauts, have returned to Earth after spending more than nine months in space. Their mission, which was originally supposed to last for eight days, ended up being extended to 278 days. They had been at the International Space Station (ISS) since June 5 last year.

The two astronauts returned early on Wednesday in SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft. They landed off the eastern coast of Florida and were carried out of the capsule on stretchers, which is a standard practice for astronauts who spend a long time in space. Despite being in space for much longer than planned, Williams and Wilmore will not be receiving overtime pay.

Donald Trump's Response to the Overtime Question
When US President Donald Trump was asked whether the astronauts would get overtime pay, he was surprised. He responded by saying,
"Nobody's ever mentioned this to me. If I have to, I'll pay it out of my own pocket."

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Trump expressed concern that the astronauts were not getting extra pay for the extra time they spent in space.

Why NASA Astronauts Do Not Get Overtime Pay
Unlike workers in regular jobs, NASA astronauts are federal employees. This means they receive the same standard pay as other government workers, even if they spend extra time in space. Under the General Schedule pay scale, astronauts do not earn additional wages for working overtime, on weekends, or even on holidays.

For astronauts, traveling to space is considered official government travel, similar to how other federal employees travel for work. NASA covers the costs of their transportation, accommodation, and meals while they are in space.

However, astronauts do receive a small extra allowance for daily expenses, known as "incidentals". They are paid $5 per day for these expenses. Since Williams and Wilmore spent 286 days in space, they will each receive an extra $1,430 (approximately Rs 1,22,980) on top of their regular salary.

Their base salaries range between $94,998 (around Rs 81.7 lakh) and $123,152 (around Rs 1.05 crore).

When Trump was informed about the $1,430 allowance, he appeared shocked and said,
"Is that all? That's not a lot for what they had to go through."

Trump Thanks Elon Musk for the Safe Return
During a press conference at the Oval Office, Trump thanked Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, for bringing the astronauts back home safely.

Trump praised Musk’s role in ensuring the safe return, saying,
"If we don't have Elon… they could be up there for a long time. Who else is going to get them? The body starts to deteriorate after 9-10 months in space. Think if we don't have time? He (Elon Musk) is going through a lot right now."

Astronauts’ Return and Recovery
After spending nearly nine months in space, Williams and Wilmore were flown back to Earth in SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft. They splashed down off Florida’s eastern coast.

Once they were safely back on Earth, they were carried out of the capsule on stretchers, as is customary for astronauts who have spent extended time in space. The live broadcast showed them smiling and waving from inside the capsule and on the stretchers.

Their return was celebrated not only by their families but also by people around the world.

Recovery and Rehabilitation
Although they are back home, Williams and Wilmore will need several months of rehabilitation to fully recover. Long-term space missions cause the loss of muscle mass and bone density.

To regain their strength, they will go through physical therapy, including strength training and mobility exercises. This rehabilitation program is essential for helping them return to their normal physical condition.