When people picture astronauts, they often imagine daring spacewalks, breathtaking rocket launches, and the thrill of floating above Earth at 17,500 miles per hour.
It sounds like the ultimate dream job — one that surely must come with a hefty salary.
But here’s the twist: despite the risks, the training, and the sacrifices, astronauts don’t earn nearly as much as many people think.
The Harsh Realities of Space Life
Unlike office workers who might moan about their morning commute or complain about the cafeteria food, astronauts deal with challenges far beyond everyday gripes.
Meals consist of dehydrated packets, toilets have to be specially engineered, and weightlessness takes a toll on the body, often leading to muscle loss during long missions.
The lifestyle is extraordinary, but it’s far from glamorous.
A NASA Veteran Tells It Straight
Nicole Stott, a retired astronaut, engineer, and aquanaut, put it bluntly when asked how much she earned during her time at NASA.
Her three-word answer? “Not a lot.” Speaking to LAD Bible, she explained that astronauts are essentially government employees.
“You don’t become an astronaut to get paid a lot of money,” she admitted.
Stott isn’t just anyone either — she flew on two major expeditions, spent more than 100 days in space, launched aboard STS-128 in 2009, and became the 10th woman ever to perform a spacewalk.
She also made history as the first person to operate the ISS robotic arm to capture a free-flying cargo vehicle.
The Numbers Behind the Paycheck
So, what do astronauts actually make? According to NASA, their annual salary sits around $152,258 (£112,347), with adjustments depending on education and experience.
Still, for the dangers and responsibilities, many would argue it’s not nearly enough.
Earlier this year, news broke that astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore — who ended up stuck on the ISS for nine months — wouldn’t see much extra money for their extended stay.
Former astronaut Cady Coleman revealed that astronauts don’t receive overtime but instead get a small “incidentals” allowance.
For her 159-day mission, Coleman received just $636 (£469) — about $4 (£2.95) a day.
That means Williams and Wilmore, with salaries ranging between $125,133 (£92,293) and $162,672 (£119,980) annually, might walk away with only around $1,000 (£737) extra after their extended mission.
For context, Neil Armstrong, the first man on the Moon, was the top earner on Apollo 11 — yet his salary in 1969 was only $27,401 (£20,209).
The Road to Becoming an Astronaut
It’s not just the pay that makes the astronaut path demanding — the selection process itself is grueling.
NASA typically picks a new astronaut class every two years, and the odds are slim.
Only about 0.08% of applicants make it through, and even then, years of training and strict physical and mental evaluations await.
Addressing the “Space Sex” Question
While many people are curious about salaries, others wonder about something a little more personal: is sex in space even possible?
Nicole Stott didn’t shy away from the question. She admitted it’s probably physically possible, though she didn’t experience it herself.
Comparing it to floating in a pool, she suggested that if people really wanted to, they’d “figure out how.”
What’s on the Menu in Space?
Despite the cramped conditions and lack of luxury, astronauts still stick to three meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Calorie needs vary — from about 1,900 a day for smaller women to over 3,200 for larger men.
Their menu includes a surprising variety: fruits, nuts, chicken, beef, seafood, peanut butter, even brownies and candy.
Drinks range from coffee and tea to juices and fruit punches, but alcohol is strictly banned on the ISS.
Condiments like ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise are available, but salt and pepper have to be in liquid form.
Sprinkling them in space would cause the particles to float, potentially damaging equipment or irritating astronauts’ eyes and lungs.
Some foods, like fruit or brownies, can be eaten as they are.
Others, such as macaroni and cheese or spaghetti, require water before eating.
While astronauts don’t get refrigerators, they do have an oven to heat meals — a small comfort in an otherwise extreme environment.
So, while the life of an astronaut might sound like the adventure of a lifetime, the paycheck is far from astronomical.
What really drives these pioneers isn’t money — it’s the chance to push human limits and explore the unknown.
