BREAKING NEWS: A historic moment occurred today as Michaela Benthaus, a paraplegic engineer from Germany, became the first wheelchair user to journey into space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket. Benthaus launched from West Texas alongside five other passengers, fulfilling a dream that once seemed impossible after a severe mountain bike accident seven years ago.
The flight, which soared to an altitude of over 105 km, lasted just 11 minutes but provided Benthaus with over three minutes of exhilarating weightlessness. “It was the coolest experience,” Benthaus exclaimed after landing, highlighting the joy and disbelief of her achievement.
Accompanying her was Hans Koenigsmann, a retired SpaceX executive and key organizer of the flight, who helped sponsor the mission. Their ticket prices remain undisclosed, but the significance of the journey is monumental.
The New Shepard capsule was designed with accessibility in mind, requiring only minor adjustments for Benthaus. Blue Origin engineer Jake Mills confirmed that the company aims to make space travel accessible to a wider audience, stating, “This mission is a stepping stone for individuals with disabilities.” To facilitate her journey, a patient transfer board was added, allowing Benthaus to move from the capsule’s hatch to her seat seamlessly.
Following the capsule’s touchdown, a carpet was rolled out on the desert floor, ensuring immediate access to her wheelchair, which she had left behind at launch. Benthaus practiced extensively for the flight, with Koenigsmann assisting in the design and testing phases. Notably, an elevator was installed at the launch pad to help her reach the capsule.
At just 33 years old, Benthaus is currently a part of the European Space Agency’s graduate trainee program in the Netherlands. She previously experienced weightlessness during a parabolic flight in Houston in 2022 and completed a simulated space mission in Poland. Reflecting on her journey, Benthaus shared, “Before this, I never really thought that going on a space flight would be a real option for me.”
This mission is a private endeavor, separate from ESA, which this year cleared reserve astronaut John McFall, an amputee, for a future flight to the International Space Station. While McFall can use a prosthetic leg and exit a space capsule independently, Benthaus relies on Koenigsmann for emergency assistance.
Along with Koenigsmann, Benthaus shared the flight with various business executives and a computer scientist, marking a total of 86 space travelers who have flown with Blue Origin since its first passenger mission in 2021.
NEXT STEPS: Blue Origin continues to push the boundaries of accessibility in space travel, aiming to inspire others with disabilities. The implications of Benthaus’s mission extend beyond personal achievement; it signals a transformative moment in the space industry, encouraging inclusivity and challenging the narrative that space is reserved for the able-bodied.
This landmark flight is poised to inspire future missions and open doors for more individuals with disabilities to explore the cosmos. As space tourism evolves, the world watches with anticipation for what comes next.
