zoom_in Click to enlarge

Mike Melvill

▲ ▼

description Mike Melvill Overview

Mike Melvill is a South African-born American test pilot known for his work with the aerospace company Scaled Composites. On June 21, 2004, he piloted the SpaceShipOne rocket plane on its first powered flight past the edge of space. This historic flight made him the first person to fly a privately built spacecraft beyond the Earth's atmosphere. For this achievement, Melvill was officially awarded commercial astronaut wings by the Federal Aviation Administration.

help Mike Melvill FAQ

How high did Mike Melvill fly to officially become a commercial astronaut?

On June 21, 2004, Mike Melvill piloted SpaceShipOne to an altitude of just over 100 kilometers (62 miles). This altitude successfully crossed the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of outer space.

Did Mike Melvill experience any technical issues during his historic SpaceShipOne flight?

Yes, during the June 2004 flight, SpaceShipOne experienced a significant aerodynamic roll just after reaching space. Melvill had to use his piloting skills to correct nearly two dozen consecutive rolls before safely gliding back to the Mojave Air and Space Port.

What aerospace company did Mike Melvill fly for during his SpaceShipOne mission?

He flew as a test pilot for Scaled Composites, the aerospace company founded by legendary engineer Burt Rutan. The spaceflight was entirely privately funded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen as part of the Tier One project.

Was Mike Melvill the first person to receive commercial astronaut wings?

Yes, because SpaceShipOne was a privately built spacecraft rather than a government vehicle, Melvill is widely recognized as the first commercial astronaut. He was officially awarded the first commercial astronaut wings by the FAA.