Test pilot Mike Melvill wore these leather boots during his history-making flights on SpaceShipOne in June and September, 2004. He became the first person to fly a privately developed spacecraft beyond the atmosphere and the first person awarded commercial astronaut wings.Melvill gave his flight suit, helmet, and accessories to the Museum in 2005 when SpaceShipOne entered the national collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.