Quick facts:Michelle Saleno
"A test pilot’s job isn’t about taking risks; it’s about achieving results. It’s about safely landing again, just as much as it is about fearlessly flying forward."
Michelle Saleno
Michelle "Sal" Saleno (2096 - 2185) was a test pilot for the Amecanio navy, and later founder of the 999th Test Squadron.
Born on Earth, she learned to fly at an early age from her parents, performing crop dusting contracts with their in-atmosphere agricultural aircraft. At age 18 she joined the Amecanio Navy as a fighter pilot, operating in both atmosphere and space. After a decade of service, her excellent capabilities as a pilot where noticed by the Navy Admiralty Board and was accepted into the Test Pilot Training Division.
After finishing the program Saleno's first assignment was working with new quantum drive models manufactured by Roberts Space Industries (RSI). During which she became the first person to quantum travel past Jupiters orbit in 2128.[1]
In 2136, RSI turned to Saleno after a civilian test pilot tragically died during a broadcasted test of a prototype Zeus. Saleno convinced the navy to aid in the ships development, forming the first iteration of the 999th Test Squadron. After a year of discussions with RSI executives, Saleno successfully completed the Zeus' first test flight on the 19th of March, 2137.[2]
The successful flight led to the Zeus becoming the first commercially available ship capable of quantum travel, and Saleno becoming a media sensation. Despising her rise in popularity and portrayal as a risk-taker willing to sacrifice herself, Saleno stubbornly stated her intentions to die of old age.
Eventually retiring from the navy in 2156, she dedicated the rest of her life to teaching at a flight school for underprivileged youth before passing of old age in 2185.
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