NASA astronaut salaries detailed as Artemis 2 mission heads to the Moon

NASA’s Artemis 2 mission launched on 1 April 2026 from Florida, carrying four astronauts—three Americans and one Canadian—on a crewed lunar flyby, the first such flight in over 50 years. 2024 NASA astronaut base pay is about $152,258 (≈ 130,000 €) annually, set by U.S. civil service tables and increasing with seniority, experience and mission complexity; additional compensation may apply for seasoned crews.

European Space Agency (ESA) astronauts in Germany earn an entry salary of roughly 48,000‑60,000 € (≈ 70,000 $), with growth tied to experience and duties. No ESA astronauts flew on Artemis 2, but the agency supplied the European Service Module built in Germany, providing power, life‑support and navigation for Orion. ESA plans to place European crew on future lunar missions. The article also notes the high physical risks astronauts face, including cosmic radiation, acceleration forces, microgravity effects on muscle and bone, and potential technical failures.