A 62-year-old pilot flew a craft 62 miles from Earth to the edge of space, becoming the world’s first privately backed, civilian astronaut and edging a team funded by Microsoft billionaire Paul Allen closer to the X Prize, the cup of the modern space race. Pilot Mike Melvill’s flight to suborbital space and safely back to the ground marks perhaps the greatest achievement for private industry in space. The historic flight could open commercial markets that include not only space tourism but also remote sensing, microgravity testing and even point-to-point travel or package delivery.
Loading ...
Historic, Private Space Flight Succeeds
Posted by: Jay Lyman June 21, 2004 10:24 AMA 62-year-old pilot flew a craft 62 miles from Earth to the edge of space, becoming the world’s first privately backed, civilian astronaut and edging a team funded by Microsoft billionaire Paul Allen closer to the X Prize, the cup of the modern space race. Pilot Mike Melvill’s flight to suborbital space and safely back to the ground marks perhaps the greatest achievement for private industry in space. The historic flight could open commercial markets that include not only space tourism but also remote sensing, microgravity testing and even point-to-point travel or package delivery.