They could be the first humans to travel to Mars, but their salaries aren’t out of this world. And they don’t get overtime when they’re in space.
The 12 new astronauts that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) introduced to the universe last week will take home a maximum of about $150,000 a year and could make as little as around $68,000, NASA spokeswoman Stephanie Schierholz told MarketWatch.
Among them is 33-year-old Dr. Jonny Kim, a former Navy SEAL who earned silver and bronze stars during more than 100 combat missions, then went on to earn degrees in math and medicine. He currently works as an emergency physician.
Though some of them pilot interplanetary vessels, astronaut pay is down-to-earth when compared with the country’s leading corporate leaders — CEOs made a median salary of $15 million in 2016. Astronaut pay is still more than the average annual salary for American workers in 2016 ($49,630.) Pilots for United Airlines make an average of $269,000 and up to $328,000, according to Airline Pilot Central.
The new space explorers were selected from more than 18,300 applicants, NASA said. They’ll join an elite cadre — NASA has chosen just 350 astronauts since its first class in 1959.
This latest group, the largest since 2000, could end up on a variety of interstellar adventures, including missions to Mars, research on the International Space Station and blasting off in commercial spacecraft, NASA said. Now known as “astronaut candidates,” the group won’t be official astronauts until they complete two years of training.
The group includes six members of the military and six civilians. The military astronauts are paid according to their rank and branch of service, and make between $68,000 and $94,000, according to public data on military salaries. The civilian astronauts are federal employees who earn between $68,535 and $150,063, depending on their experience level, previous salary and “academic achievements,” Schierholz said.
The group includes alums of Harvard University, Stanford University and MIT, and most have degrees in brain-testing fields such as aerospace engineering, electrical engineering and nuclear engineering.
One member of the class is Jasmin Moghbeli, 33, a major in the US Marine Corps with a bachelor’s degree from MIT in aerospace engineering with information technology and a master’s in aerospace engineering. She’s also a “distinguished graduate” of the US Naval Test Pilot School and currently tests helicopters for the Marine Corps.
Like other federal employees, civilian astronauts have gotten steady but modest raises over the past several years. A year ago their pay range would have been between $66,893 and $146,468, according to public data, which means they got raises of about 2 percent. That’s slightly lower than the 3 percent raise the average employee in the US got last year.
Astronauts have to meet a challenging set of basic requirements. A bachelor’s degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics is a must, and those that actually want to command a spacecraft need at least 1,000 hours of “pilot-in-command time” in a jet plane.
In addition, astronaut candidates must meet specific physical standards: good eyesight 20/20 in both eyes (glasses are OK) and 140/90 blood pressure. Oh, and you have to be tall enough, but not too tall. Astronauts who pilot vessels have to be between 5 feet 2 inches and 6 foot 3 inches tall, whereas astronauts who work on the spacecraft but don’t pilot it can be as short as 4 feet 11 inches and as tall as 6 feet 4 inches.
I am an enthusiast with a deep understanding of space exploration, astronaut selection criteria, and the intricacies of the aerospace industry. My knowledge spans various aspects of the field, from the rigorous training astronauts undergo to the challenges they face in space. I've kept abreast of recent developments, including the latest batch of NASA astronaut selections, their diverse backgrounds, and the specifics of their compensation.
In the article you provided, several key concepts related to astronauts and space exploration are discussed. Let's break down the information and explore each concept:
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Astronaut Salaries:
- The article highlights the salaries of the 12 new astronauts introduced by NASA. Their annual income ranges from about $68,000 to a maximum of $150,000. The breakdown indicates that military astronauts are paid based on their rank and branch of service, while civilian astronauts, considered federal employees, earn between $68,535 and $150,063, depending on experience, previous salary, and academic achievements.
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Astronaut Selection Process:
- NASA selected these astronauts from a pool of over 18,300 applicants. This competitive process underscores the elite nature of becoming an astronaut. The candidates, now known as "astronaut candidates," will undergo two years of training before officially becoming astronauts.
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Diversity in Astronauts:
- The group of new astronauts comprises six members of the military and six civilians. The military astronauts' pay is determined by their rank and branch of service, while civilian astronauts, being federal employees, have a pay range based on experience and qualifications.
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Educational Background and Academic Achievements:
- The astronauts come from prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, Stanford University, and MIT. They hold degrees in fields like aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, and nuclear engineering. Academic achievements play a role in determining the salary range for civilian astronauts.
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Astronaut Training Requirements:
- Astronaut candidates are required to have a bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science, or mathematics. Those aspiring to command a spacecraft need at least 1,000 hours of "pilot-in-command time" in a jet plane. Physical standards include 20/20 eyesight (correctable with glasses), blood pressure of 140/90, and height requirements for pilots and non-pilots.
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Astronaut Pay in Comparison to Other Professions:
- The article draws a salary comparison between astronauts and CEOs, highlighting that astronaut pay, while significant, is considerably less than the median salary of corporate leaders. It also mentions the average annual salary for American workers and compares astronaut pay to that of United Airlines pilots.
In conclusion, the article provides insights into the financial aspects, selection process, and qualifications required for astronauts, offering a glimpse into the challenging but rewarding world of space exploration.
