Date of Birth: November 30, 1940
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Biography
Michael Winston “Mike” Melvill is an American aviator known for his pioneering contributions to civilian spaceflight. Born in South Africa, Melvill moved to the United States, where he became a test pilot and commercial astronaut. He gained international fame as the pilot of SpaceShipOne, the first privately funded spacecraft to reach space. He flew SpaceShipOne on its inaugural flight into space on June 21, 2004, earning the title of Commercial Astronaut. Melvill has received numerous accolades for his contributions to aviation and space exploration, including the prestigious Collier Trophy.
5 Interesting Facts about Mike Melville
1. Mike Melvill is the first commercial astronaut, having piloted SpaceShipOne into space.
2. He was awarded the Collier Trophy in 2004 for his achievements in aviation.
3. Melvill holds several aviation records, including altitude records for non-governmental spaceflight.
4. He moved from South Africa to the United States in the 1960s and became a U.S. citizen.
5. Mike is also an accomplished test pilot, having logged thousands of hours in various experimental aircraft.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Mike Melville
1. “It was an amazing feeling, looking at the curvature of the Earth from space.”
2. “The thrill of flight is something that never leaves you.”
3. “Space is the next frontier, and it’s up to us to explore it.”
4. “Every flight is a test of not just the aircraft, but of yourself.”
5. “Innovation in aviation is what keeps us pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Mike Melvill’s highest net worth is estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
Mike Melvill has one son, who has followed in his father’s footsteps to some extent, becoming involved in the aviation industry.
Relevant Links
1. [Mike Melvill Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Melvill
2. [Mike Melvill’s Profile on Space.com](https://www.space.com/17544-mike-melvill-biography.html
3. [SpaceShipOne Flight Details](https://www.scaled.com/projects/tierone/062104.html
4. [Collier Trophy Recipients](https://naa.aero/awards/awards-and-trophies/collier-trophy
5. [Commercial Astronaut Wings](https://www.faa.gov/space/licenses/astronauts
