Stranded U.S. astronauts to get less than Pakistani parliamentarians’ daily allowance

Despite spending nearly nine months in space — far exceeding the planned eight-day mission at the International Space Station — U.S. astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will receive a total additional compensation of only $1,435.

The Internal Revenue Service, which administers and enforces U.S. tax laws, said in its manual that the rate for incidental expenses remains $5 (around PKR 1,400) per day, no matter the location.

International media, citing a NASA spokesperson, reported that the stranded pair — who just returned to Earth in a SpaceX capsule after spending an extra 278 days aboard the ISS due to a malfunctioning rocket — were not eligible for any overtime pay.

Meanwhile, Pakistani parliamentarians receive a significantly higher daily allowance. According to the Members of Parliament (Salaries and Allowances) Act, 1974, lawmakers are entitled to a daily allowance of PKR 4,800 for special duty and PKR 2,800 for ordinary duty, in addition to a conveyance allowance of PKR 2,000 per day.