Although it is widely known that billionaire Mark Shuttleworth was the first South African to travel into space, it became known during Space Week that two people from South Africa achieved this historic milestone.
Shuttleworth made his flight in April 2002 aboard the Russian Soyuz rocket to reach the International Space Station (ISS), officially earning the title of the first South African in space.
Just two years later, in June 2004, the second such person, Mike Melvill, flew on SpaceShipOne, which became the first private human flight to exceed the 100 km boundary.
Melvill's historic journey began on the carrier aircraft White Knight, which ascended to an altitude of 15 km, after which SpaceShipOne detached and independently covered the remaining 85 km to space.
Melvill returned to space again in September of the same year, piloting flight 16P to help win the $10 million Ansari X Prize. This competition required a private vehicle to carry three people into space twice within two weeks.
Neither of these flights was without dramatic moments. During the first mission, the spacecraft deviated from its course by 35 km, which, as Melvill later admitted, made him fear for his life. The second flight was no less tense, as it was accompanied by 29 rapid, uncontrolled rolls before he could safely land the craft.
Mark Shuttleworth, unlike Melvill, fully financed his $20 million journey. While aboard the ISS, he famously conducted a live video call with the then-President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, which was a landmark moment watched by millions across the country.
It is worth noting that Melvill passed away in March of this year at the age of 86.