The mission Artemis II of the NASA captured international attention. After flying over the Luna For ten days, the crew of three astronauts Americans, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover y Christina Kochand the Canadian Jeremy Hansenreturned to Earth.
Some may think that the four space travelers will perceive economic gains for his service and contributions of valuable knowledge to science and humanity; or perhaps some compensation for the risks they took in leaving the planet we inhabit and undertaking a manned flight into the immensity of space.
However, the magazine Forbes debunked several myths about it, in an article that clarifies what the astronaut salary.
Unlike the Apollo missions, whose objective was to reach the lunar surface in the midst of the Cold War and the intense space race between Russia and the United States, Artemis II falls within another type of budget limits and a different posture towards calculated vital risks.
Their main mission was to validate systems, procedures and capabilities that allow them to establish a sustained presence in the orbit and surface of the Moon in the next decade.
The value of having achieved the goals they set is intangible for their professional career and vocation, but in terms of numbers the reality is different.
As indicated by the prestigious publication specialized in finance, the Artemis II astronauts do not have million-dollar contracts nor do they receive risk bonuses.
Although these are professionals qualified at an extreme level, both physically and operationally, defined by discipline, continuous training and the global visibility of their actions, the economic compensation they receive does not adjust to the logic of the market, but rather to the public service.
Wiseman, Glover y Koch They are federal employees from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Therefore, they receive a government salary, and NASA, as a federal agency, operates under the criterion of «salary homogeneity.»
Astronauts are classified within the US federal system at levels GS-13 to GS-14, giving them annual salaries between $97,000 and $170,000, depending on experience and rank.
These figures represent a monthly salary of between $8,000 and $14,000. There is no hazard pay, overtime pay, or specific compensation for traveling to deep space. In short, there are no financial incentives linked to the mission.
The value of their work is not measured by the spectacular nature of the mission, but by the previously determined administrative scales. In the same way that others federal employees Those who travel for work have transportation, accommodation and meals covered, astronauts have all these expenses covered by NASA.
In addition to these data, a spokesperson for the space agency confirmed to the magazine Fortune that outside of their salary the only thing they receive is a small daily allowance, 5 dollars, for «unforeseen expenses».
In the case of the Canadian Hansen, his salary depends on the public structure of Canada, but Forbes ensures that the sliding scale is similar.
In an era where specialized talent is often better paid, astronauts remain the exception. The private sector measures success in economic return, but space exploration operates with another logic, where prestige, «making history» and scientific advances are also a powerful asset.
The new «space economy» and the record of applicants every time a mission arises
The entire Artemis program required an investment of $100 billion, and the cost of launching this mission alone is estimated at 4.1 billion dollarsamount that includes the special suits, the SLS rocket, the ship Orion and all the logistics.
Although the benefit is not primarily financial, as mentioned Adam Frankan astrophysicist researching our place in the cosmos, author of another article by Forbes Regarding Artemis II, there is another type of value at stake, which is evident in each call.
In September 2025, NASA selected just 10 candidates from more than 8,000 applicantsan acceptance rate of 0.125%, much more selective than universities like Harvard or Stanford.
Frank highlights that there is a concept that was unthinkable in 1969: space commercialization. «Before there was no space economy, but now, from satellite launches to Earth observation, the space economy is worth more than 600 billion dollars and this figure is expected to exceed 1,000,000,000 dollars in a decade,» says the expert in the article published by Forbes in April 2026.
In addition, Artemis II is part of the NASA’s stated goal of establishing a permanent presence on the Moon. It is already planned that Artemis III test critical components for an orbital moon landing and Artemis IV take humans back to Earth’s natural satellite to achieve a constant rate of launches that will allow construction of a permanent lunar settlement.
«In the face of this burgeoning economic frontier, the Artemis program focuses not only on exploration, but on the infrastructure necessary for humanity to become a true species capable of travel through space«, says Frank.
Just as deep-ocean navigation was not a regular activity for humans just 1,000 years ago and transoceanic routes have become routine today, the author jokes that in less than a century perhaps we will be able to send a message that says: «Honey, I’ll go on the 8:15 train from the Moon.»
Something similar happened with airplanes. In 1910, only a few people had flown in an airplane, but four generations later, flying at 8,000 kilometers per hour surprises no one.
«Artemis II represented a small but significant step to drive the same change in space. Within a hundred years, it is very possible that we will have permanent settlements on the Moon, Mars and in orbit, human beings living and working throughout the solar system,» Frank projects.
