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My question is about fictional astronauts, but I was hoping since you guys have some experience with NASA you might be able to shed some light on the issue. After watching Ridley Scott’s The Martian, I was stuck with a question I’m sure many viewers were stuck with: What are the overtime implications for being stranded on another planet? Obviously Watney is a salaried employee, but is there some kind of added pay structure in that scenario?

I’m mostly kidding. I know being an actual astronaut is a dangerous job and nobody wants to think about a possible calamity like that, but I am interested in hearing if all the paperwork and administration is the same as any job. It’s just such a unique job, I have trouble imagining astronauts doing paperwork during and after a mission.

Thanks for reading and thanks for your service!

That's hilarious. I can hardly think of a service a telemarketer would be trying to push that you couldn't get out of by just saying, "I'm leaving Earth." Thanks for the story, Astronaut Reisman!

That has to be the coolest travel itinerary in the history of humankind. Thanks for the details, Astronaut Tani! I suppose the views make up for the small bonus, but if I were president I'd definitely double that — $2 a day!

I suppose even the coolest job on the planet (err ... off the planet) comes with paperwork. Thanks for the answer, Astronaut Culbertson!

Thanks for the answer! I hadn't even thought about life insurance. I do suppose when you tell the insurers you've scheduled a 5 1/2 month trip off the planet it raises some alarm bells. Thanks again, Astronaut Swanny!