Hero Civilian Astronaut Was Man Without Enemies

Late Mike Melvill recalled as a nice guy who can never be replaced.

Peter Garrison

Friday, August 21, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

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Edited By:

Travis Tingle

The author shares 50 years of memories with dear friend and great pilot Mike Melvill. [Credit: Peter Garrison]

Key Takeaways:

Mike Melvill joined Burt Rutan's company in 1978, becoming a pivotal figure as shop foreman and an exceptionally skilled test pilot for numerous experimental aircraft, including a 38,000-mile circumnavigation in a Long-EZ.
He achieved global recognition as the "first civilian astronaut" by piloting SpaceShipOne to win the Ansari X Prize, demonstrating remarkable bravery and composure during a critical in-flight emergency.
Beyond his pioneering achievements, Melvill was highly regarded for his generous, helpful, loyal, and modest character, consistently assisting fellow pilots and embodying the definition of a "pilot's pilot."

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In May 1978, a 37-year-old machinist and his wife flew their odd-looking homebuilt airplane from Indiana to Mojave, California, to show it to its designer, Burt Rutan.

Rutan, who had founded the Rutan Aircraft Factory (RAF) several years earlier and was now selling plans for VariEzes, looked over the plane, an all-wood canard pusher called a VariViggen, and admired the workmanship. He promptly invited the visitor and his wife to join his little company. They accepted.

Hero Civilian Astronaut Was Man Without Enemies

Late Mike Melvill recalled as a nice guy who can never be replaced.

Key Takeaways:

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