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 and his wife joined Burt Rutan's company in 1978, a pivotal decision that launched Melvill's distinguished career as a highly skilled aircraft builder and test pilot.
Melvill was an exceptionally accomplished aviator, making first flights for many Rutan designs, flying around the world in a Long-EZ, and famously becoming the "first civilian astronaut" by piloting SpaceShipOne to win the Ansari X Prize.
Beyond his technical prowess and bravery in the cockpit, Melvill was characterized as a modest, generous, loyal, and sweet-natured individual, widely respected by his peers and friends.

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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.