Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams is gearing up for her long-awaited return to Earth, alongside fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore, after an unexpectedly extended mission in space. A former US Navy officer and a veteran astronaut, Williams has made remarkable contributions to space exploration, solidifying her place as one of NASA’s most accomplished astronauts.
With such an illustrious career, many wonder—how much does Sunita Williams earn? According to US government pay scales, NASA astronauts are paid based on experience and rank, ranging from GS-13 to GS-15.
As a highly experienced astronaut, Williams falls under the GS-15 category, with an estimated annual salary of $152,258 (Rs 1.26 crore), several news reports stated. Apart from their salary, NASA astronauts receive a host of benefits, including comprehensive health insurance, advanced mission training, psychological support and travel allowances.
Williams, who resides in Houston, Texas, with her husband Michael J Williams, a federal marshal, has an estimated net worth of $5 million, according to Marca.com. Her prolonged stay in space has once again showcased her resilience and dedication to advancing space science.
Williams and Butch have been stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since June 5, 2024, after their Boeing Starliner suffered multiple technical failures upon reaching orbit. For their rescue, a Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the Crew Dragon capsule, successfully lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Saturday. The mission, dubbed Crew-10, is transporting a fresh four-member team to the ISS to take over from Williams, Wilmore and two other astronauts.
The new crew includes NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan’s Takuya Onishi and Russia’s Kirill Peskov.
