It’s not exactly what you’d expect after spending more than eight months in space.

You might be surprised to learn just how much two NASA astronauts are earning while being “stranded” aboard the International Space Station (ISS). A retired astronaut has revealed the truth, and it’s not as much as you might think.

Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams initially embarked on what was supposed to be an eight-day mission. However, that has now stretched into a staggering 251-day stay, with no immediate return in sight.

Their extended stay is due to a combination of technical issues. First, their Boeing Starliner spacecraft suffered malfunctions, leaving them stuck in space. Then, their planned return flight was delayed because of problems with the SpaceX Crew-10 C213 Dragon capsule, which was meant to facilitate the necessary crew changeover.

NASA mandates that astronauts returning from the ISS must be replaced by an incoming crew. Since no one has been sent to switch places with them, Wilmore and Williams have been left in limbo.

However, according to astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, their situation is being exaggerated. Speaking with Washingtonian, McDowell stated, “The party line at NASA is that the astronauts are not stranded,” adding, “it’s way overblown.”