The Boeing Starliner astronauts have returned to Earth after nine long months—but their $150,000 salary won’t come with overtime

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore (L) and Suni Williams (R). (Credit: MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO / Getty Images)

• Two Boeing Starliner astronauts just touched down on Earth after an unexpected nine-month stay at the International Space Station. Most people wouldn’t risk a life of eternal darkness in space for a million dollars—but the astronauts did so for far less: just over $150,000 yearly without overtime or hazard pay. 

The internet has been rife with secondhand anxiety over the Boeing Starliner astronauts being stranded in space for nine months. They initially launched their test flight in June 2024, anticipating the trip would only take over a week. But after several of Boeing’s Starliner capsule Calypso’s thrusters failed during docking, the two astronauts were stuck in orbit until yesterday, March 18, 2025.