NASA Astronaut Drops Shocking Truth About Their Salary That No One Expected

Ever wondered what astronauts actually bank for floating around in space? Spoiler alert: it’s probably less than you think—surprising, right? I mean, these cosmic adventurers endure years of grueling schooling, mastering science and engineering, then slog through specialist training for a couple of years, all before they even strap in for liftoff. And let’s not forget the hair-raising risks, the health side effects, and being away from their favorite people for who knows how long. Given all that, you’d assume astronaut paychecks would be stratospheric—but nope! Retired NASA astronaut Nicole Stott spills the beans, revealing astronauts are basically government workers who don’t suit up for the cash. Intrigued? There’s also some eyebrow-raising talk about how astronauts handle, uh, personal business up there, recycling liquid waste into drinking water—yes, it’s as weird as it sounds! Brace yourself for a trip beyond your paycheck fantasies and into the nitty-gritty of life in space. LEARN MORE

Have you ever wondered how much an astronaut earns? The answer may very well surprise you.

Travelling into space isn’t a journey for the faint-hearted. Wannabe spacefarers will spend years in education studying for a degree in science or engineering and gaining flying experience before they can even be considered by organisations such as NASA or the European Space Agency (ESA).

Get the job and you’re then expected to complete an average of two years in specialist training before you make it to the launchpad.

That’s pretty extensive when you compare that to the amount of training most of us got for our jobs.

Then there’s also the fact that going into space involves numerous risks, health implications and spending an extended period of time away from loved ones.

Heading into space isn’t a journey for the faint-hearted (Getty Stock Image)

And don’t even get us started on the overtime requirements when you’re up in space.

Given the number of hoops which you have to jump through to secure a spot on the International Space Station (ISS), you’d presume that astronauts are very well compensated for their work, right?

Well, not as much as you’d expect, according to retired astronaut Nicole Stott.

The 62-year-old recently sat down to discuss all things space and space travel in an interview with LADbible.

So, how much does NASA compensate its astronauts financially?

“Not a lot,” Nicole said, explaining that at the end of the day, astronauts are still public sector workers.

“Government civil servant,” she added. “You don’t become an astronaut to get paid a lot of money.”

A retired NASA astronaut revealed everything you want to know about going to space (YouTube/LADbible)

How much does an astronaut get paid on average?

According to numerous reports, a NASA astronaut can expect to receive an average salary of $152,258 (£112,347) per year, however, this can vary depending on experience.

Meanwhile, Space Crew reports that ESA astronauts can expect to receive a starting salary of £54,416 for their work, rising with experience.

Salaries weren’t the only topic Stott touched on in the interview, with the former astronaut revealing how you go to the toilet in space – and the stomach-churning way in which your ‘liquid waste’ is recycled during your stay.

Due to the lack of gravity in space, astronauts have to use a funnel attached to a tube for urination or carefully attach themselves to a specially designed seat to do any other business (via ESA).

“It’s a little messy at first,” Stott explained.

She also revealed that ‘liquid waste’ is then filtered and recycled into clean drinking water for the astronauts.

Yes, you heard that right.

“We actually recycle all of the liquid waste, a majority of that into clean drinking water,” she added.

“As my friend [current astronaut] Don Pettit likes to say ‘yesterday’s coffee becomes today’s coffee’.”

Which just goes to show, astronauts aren’t doing the job for anything other than the love of space.