The profession of an astronaut has not been for many years - only 55. The number of people who have traveled outside our planet during this time is successfully reaching six hundred. It is not surprising that many of those remaining ask themselves: how much do astronauts pay for leaving their home?
How much did the Apollo 11 team pay?
In 1969, the largest Apollo 11 mission was completed. Commander Neil Armstrong, command module pilot Michael Collins and lunar module pilot Edwin (Buzz) Aldrin landed on the moon's surface, and two of them - Armstrong and Aldrin - walked along its surface.
The crew of the Apollo 11 mission is one of the most famous astronauts, but their great goal did not bring them any money beyond the norm. Neil Armstrong received 27,401 dollars for a flight to the moon, which, in terms of the current rate, is a little more than 190 thousand dollars.
Aldrin's salary was slightly less, but also included accommodation, per diem, flight payment and salary, amounting to 18 623 dollars, or 129 thousand dollars for 2019.
Collins' work was valued at 17,148 dollars - today it equals 119 thousand.
And what about the USSR?
Most Soviet cosmonauts were military pilots and, accordingly, received a clean salary. Flights beyond the planet were paid separately. Upon returning to the pilot, the astronaut was given a car, an apartment and the opportunity was given to refuel gasoline for life for free.
The family of the first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, for example, after the return of the head received a full set of furniture, household appliances, dishes, clothes and bedding. Gagarin's salary for 1962 amounted to 514 rubles.
The salary of Soviet cosmonauts grew with the development of technology and an increase in the duration of flights. George Grechko recalled that for his first flight in the winter of 1975, he was paid 5,000 rubles.
How much do astronauts get in Russia?
All the achievements of Soviet cosmonautics were inherited by the Russian one, having lost some of the secrets and secrets. Today, each user can easily glance aboard the ISS and observe what astronauts are doing.
But astronauts are still paid two salaries: terrestrial and space. For six months on board the ISS, they receive from 130 to 150 thousand dollars. But earthly labor is paid much lower: only 80-100 thousand rubles. Moreover, they can count on bonuses for conscientious performance of work, allowances for long service and class.
And what is abroad?
Armstrong and the Apollo 11 team were the highest paid astronauts that day, and they took a huge step for the whole world. Those who begin their careers in space today are following in their footsteps, but getting less.
The salary of astronauts is calculated in accordance with the accepted scale of salaries of the federal government and may increase depending on the class of payment. The latter depends on the academic achievements of the astronaut and his experience. The minimum wage for them is $ 53,805.