4 sources·Science

NASA Astronauts Wilmore and Williams Spend Unplanned Nine Months in Space Due to Technical Issues

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned to Earth after nine months in space following an extended mission originally intended to last only eight days.

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  1. NASA astronauts only get $5 on top of salary for each day stuck in space

    Despite being stuck in space for 278 days longer than originally expected, Wilmore and Williams did not receive overtime pay, a NASA spokesperson told Newsweek.

    NASA astronauts only get $5 on top of salary for each day stuck in space

    NewsweekNewsweek·1M
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  2. NASA astronauts stranded in space due to Biden's 'lack of courage,' White House says

    These two incredible astronauts were only supposed to be up there for eight days, but because of the Biden administration's lack of urgency, they ended up spending nine months in space.

    NASA astronauts stranded in space due to Biden's 'lack of courage,' White House says

    FOX NewsFOX News·1M
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  3. What nine months in space does to the human body

    However, the human body evolved to function in the gravity of Earth.

    What nine months in space does to the human body

    BBC NewsBBC News·1M
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  1. Newsweek
  2. FOX News
  3. BBC News
  4. Associated Press
Updated: Mar 19th, 2025, 10:21 PM ET

Summary

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NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Suni Williams returned to Earth after an unexpected nine-month stay aboard the ISS due to technical issues with their spacecraft. Initially launched for an eight-day mission, their return was delayed for safety reasons. Although they faced a prolonged stay, they did not receive overtime pay, just incidental compensations. This incident raised discussions regarding the Biden administration's response to their situation, with claims of urgency being lacking. The astronauts' experiences highlight the impacts of prolonged space travel on human physiology and the logistics of astronaut pay.

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  • NASA astronauts Wilmore and Williams experienced an unprecedented extension of their mission due to technical issues with Boeing's Starliner, highlighting the complexities of space travel.

  • The astronauts' lengthy stay prompted discussions about the physical effects of prolonged spaceflight on human health, including muscle and bone density loss.

  • Despite their extended time in space, NASA's policies regarding compensation remain standard, with astronauts receiving regular salaries without overtime for time spent at the ISS.

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NASA Astronauts Wilmore and Williams Spend Unplanned Nine Months in Space Due to Technical Issues - Pano News