Clearing up a common question about the shutdown and space work
The recent U.S. government funding lapse has sparked questions about whether astronauts, scientists, and support staff are working for free while federal agencies operate with reduced budgets. The short answer is no. In space, as on the ground, critical missions are structured to continue even when many government operations slow down. Here’s what’s actually happening aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and why the work keeps going.
Pay and essential duties: what stays funded during a shutdown
During a government shutdown, agency leaders designate which operations are essential to national security, public safety, and ongoing missions. For NASA and its international partners, the ISS program is classified as essential. That designation covers crew safety, life support, satellite communications, and mission-critical research that cannot be paused without risking crew well-being or mission success. In practical terms, astronauts and mission control teams continue to perform duties that directly relate to safety and mission continuity.
What the ISS crew is doing right now
Expedition 73 crews are maintaining equipment, conducting experiments, and rehearsing procedures that support long-duration spaceflight. Recent activities have included plant biology studies, materials science experiments in microgravity, and systems maintenance projects that keep the station’s life-support and power systems reliable. For example, updates this week included:
- Activating environmental systems like moisture and air-processing loops to reclaim water and ensure a stable atmosphere.
- Upgrading research equipment and preparing experiments that could inform future deep-space missions.
- Testing debris capture technologies to reduce orbital hazards and contribute to near-Earth space sustainability.
From researchers to flight engineers, the crew maintains a disciplined schedule. Even as some ground teams are furloughed, the ISS operates with trained personnel in mission control rooms and aboard the spacecraft to support ongoing operations and safety.
Notable activities from the current crew
This week highlighted cross-cultural collaboration and diverse scientific goals. For instance, a JAXA astronaut shared orbit-side imagery and context about daily life in microgravity—training, observations, and the occasional wave to Earth as the station passed over different regions. Other crew members have pushed forward with engineering tasks—installing and testing hardware that supports thermal management, fluid science experiments, and materials research in weightlessness. These tasks are essential for the long-term viability of human spaceflight and the development of technologies for future missions deeper into the solar system.
What about the ground crew?
Ground teams are indeed operating with tighter resources during a shutdown. Some functions—like routine website updates, certain administrative tasks, and non-critical support roles—may be slowed or paused. However, essential operations that directly support crew safety, mission continuity, and essential hardware maintenance continue. In spaceflight, the chain-of-command and the contingency planning that keeps astronauts safe are designed to withstand political and budgetary fluctuations. The bottom line is that astronauts aren’t “working for free” in the sense of a lack of compensation; salaries for essential personnel are drawn from funds allocated to active missions, while non-essential functions endure furloughs where permissible by policy.
ISS uptime: a testament to uninterrupted exploration
The ISS has remained continuously crewed for decades, an achievement that underscores the resilience of international cooperation in space. The current Expedition 73 crew, including commanders, cosmonauts, NASA astronauts, and a JAXA flight engineer, operates in a tightly coordinated environment supported by SpaceX and other partners. While the political process affects how agencies operate on the ground, spaceflight missions rely on well-established protocols and contingency planning that ensure the station remains a hub of science and testing—uninterrupted by shifts in domestic fiscal policy.
Looking ahead
As negotiations on funding continue, the space community remains focused on advancing science and preparing for future missions. Concepts like moisture recovery, materials research in microgravity, and debris capture tests are not paused by a political deadline; they are part of long-range planning for human exploration, including journeys beyond low Earth orbit. Astronauts and ground teams alike contribute to these goals, maintaining a steady rhythm that aligns with safety, research deadlines, and international cooperation.
Bottom line
Yes, astronauts are continuing critical work aboard the ISS during a U.S. government shutdown, and they are compensated for essential duties, while ground operations experience a mix of furloughs and ongoing mission support. Space doesn’t stop for politics, and the ISS remains a sustained, international effort that keeps humanity’s reach in space moving forward.
