Commercial astronaut
Patti Grace Smith presents SpaceShipOne pilot Mike Melvill the department's first commercial astronaut wings. | |
| Occupation | |
|---|---|
Occupation type | Profession |
| Description | |
| Competencies | See astronaut training |
Fields of employment | Space exploration |
Related jobs | Astronaut |
A commercial astronaut is a person who has commanded, piloted, or served as an active crew member of a privately-funded spacecraft. This is distinct from an otherwise non-government astronaut, for example Charlie Walker, who flies while representing a non-government corporation but with funding or training or both coming from government sources.