Sunita Williams and Buch Wilmore have returned to Earth this week with two other astronauts after spending more than nine months in space. It is worth noting that both Sunita and Buch had gone to the international special station for only 8 days mission, but both got stuck there after technical fault in the spacecraft. Despite spending an additional 278 days in space, these astronauts of NASA will not get overtime salary. But now US President Donald Trump has made an interesting proposal about this.
When asked about the overtime salary of these 2 astronauts of NASA, President Trump said, “Nobody ever told me about it. If I had to do so, I will do it from my pocket.”
During a press conference at the Oval Office, President Trump also thanked Allen Musk for bringing the astronauts back home. “If we don’t have Alan … they could have been stuck there for a long time. Who else would bring them? The body starts to deteriorate after 9-10 months.
Why does NASA not pay overtime money to its astronauts?
Explain that unlike a private job, NASA’s astronauts are US government employees (Federal Employees). This means that they get a standard salary similar to other government employees. The rule says that if a mission is stretched long, then they do not get any additional salary for it. This includes working in overtime, or weekend or in holidays. Even the journey of space as government employees is considered an official visit.
NASA affates astronauts, their living and food expenses. They also provide additional money ($ 5) for small daily expenses that they call “casual” (insidentals). Sunita Williams and Buch Wilmore have spent a total of 286 days in space. Therefore, apart from their salary, each will get an additional $ 1,430 (Rs 1,22,980).
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