What ‘stranded’ NASA astronauts had to eat in space as their return sparks a number of questions

NASA astronauts Sunita 'Suni' Williams and Barry 'Butch' Wilmore have finally touched back down on Earth after spending nine months on the International Space Station (ISS).

The pair set off back in June last year, but due to technical problems with their Boeing Starliner, they had no choice but to find an alternative mode of transport for their journey home.

Fast forward to this week and thanks to NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission, Williams and Wilmore - along with two other astronauts - splashed down off the coast of Florida on Tuesday evening.

Following the pair's return, many have been asking questions about the astronauts' time in space, including what they've been eating and how much they were paid for the mission.

Turns out, their diet may be more varied than you'd imagine.

What did the astronauts eat in space?

According to the New York Post, Wilmore and Williams were enjoying all sorts of foods up in space, including pizza, roast chicken, and even shrimp cocktails.

The publication explained that a specialist close to the mission said the astronauts are 'chowing down on a variety of food, including breakfast cereal with powdered milk, pizza, shrimp cocktails, roast chicken, and tuna'.

However, it was reported that the pair had limited access to fresh produce, which is understandable.

“There’s fresh fruit at first,” said the unnamed specialist.

“But as the three months continues that goes away — and their fruits and vegetables are packaged or freeze-dried.”

A photo shared on the Instagram page for the ISS showed the team having a 'pizza night', explaining: "Pizza night in space!

"A big crew favorite is pizza with the astronauts adding their own ingredients and cooking personal-size pies aboard the International Space Station's galley.

"Items are attached to the galley using tape and velcro to keep them from flying away in the microgravity environment."

How much have the astronauts been paid?

What may come as a surprise to all of us on Earth is that the astronauts won’t get a huge amount in financial compensation for overtime pay.

Cady Coleman, a retired NASA astronaut, revealed to the Washingtonian that the astronauts don't get any special overtime beyond their standard salaried pay packet.

"There is some small amount of money every say for incidentals that they end up being legally obligated to pay you," Coleman shared, revealing for her it was around $4 (£3.19) per day.

How will the astronauts' health be impacted?

After splashdown, the astronauts were carried out of the capsule on a stretcher before undergoing a number of health checks.

Former NASA astronaut, Peggy Whitson told Today that astronauts actually grow in space because the spinal column expands out without gravity.

However, once back on Earth, the spinal disks compress again - something which can also lead to 'dramatic' back pain.

The lack of gravity in space may also cause major bone density loss.

It can also cause muscles in your arms and legs to waste away.

Muscles in your heart are also impacted by the process, as the vital organ doesn’t have to pump blood against gravity meaning it has much less work to do.

Lastly, returning back to Earth after an extended period of time in space can seriously impact your mental health.

Alan Duffy, an astrophysicist at Swinburne University, explains: "For anyone who’s been stranded in the wrong airport for a day or two, wanting to get home - imagine you’ve been able to see home that entire time.

"These people are truly astonishing in terms of their resilience."

Following health checks, it's expected that the astronauts will finally be able to reunite with their loved ones after so long apart.