While the US government faces a partial shutdown, NASA’s astronauts aboard the International Space Station continue their work, albeit without pay. This situation highlights how certain operations can continue even during government crises.
The current government shutdown, now in its second month, has led to furloughs for many federal employees. However, some positions deemed essential for protecting life and safety are excepted from these furloughs. NASA falls into this category, allowing its astronauts in orbit to continue their duties without interruption.
“This is a critical distinction,” explained space policy analyst Sarah Johnson. “Astronauts’ operations are considered essential for maintaining national security and advancing scientific knowledge, even during government shutdowns.”
On the ISS, Expedition 73 continues its normal rotation, conducting microgravity research and maintaining the station. The crew consists of three Russians from Roscosmos, one Japanese astronaut, and three Americans from NASA. While all crew members continue their work, they are not receiving compensation during this period.
“Interestingly, while astronauts are working without pay, they are still expected to maintain their social media presence,” noted science journalist Maria Rodriguez. “This creates an unusual situation where astronauts are performing public-facing duties without the usual government support structures.”
The situation extends beyond routine operations. NASA has classified work on the Artemis lunar program as essential, allowing continued preparations for Artemis II, scheduled to launch around February 2026. However, the extended shutdown may strain agency resources as more employees work without pay.
“This creates a challenging balancing act for NASA,” said mission operations expert David Chen. “They must maintain momentum for future exploration initiatives while managing the financial impact of excepted personnel.”
The continuation of ISS operations demonstrates how certain space activities can proceed independently of terrestrial government functions. Yet, this essential work comes at a cost, as the astronauts and ground support staff who keep these operations running receive no pay during this government closure.
As the shutdown continues, NASA faces the challenge of maintaining momentum for its ambitious exploration programs while supporting its workforce during this difficult period
