German engineer Michaela Benthaus becomes the world’s first wheelchair user in space, inspiring accessibility in space tourism with Blue Origin.
space tourism, Blue Origin, wheelchair accessibility, Michaela Benthaus, disability inclusion, space travel
World’s First Wheelchair User in Space: A Historic Blue Origin Flight
Breaking Barriers: Michaela Benthaus Makes Space History
In a groundbreaking achievement for accessibility and inclusion, Michaela Benthaus, an engineer from Germany, has become the world’s first wheelchair user to go into space. Seven years after a mountain bike accident left her with a spinal cord injury, Benthaus continued to dream of being an astronaut. Her determination led her to reach out to retired space engineer Hans Koenigsmann online, seeking advice on her astronaut ambitions.
Together, they organized a historic 10-minute suborbital flight with Blue Origin, the American space tourism company founded by Jeff Bezos. On a memorable Saturday, Benthaus and five other passengers blasted off from Texas aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard, crossing the famed Kármán line, widely regarded as the boundary of space.
A Dream Fulfilled: Michaela Benthaus’s Space Experience
Following the flight, Benthaus exclaimed, “It was the coolest experience! I didn’t only like the view and the micro-gravity, but I also liked going up. That was so cool, every stage of going up.” Her enthusiasm reflected the unique sensations and unforgettable sights experienced during the flight, including the thrill of launch and the awe-inspiring view of Earth from space.
New Shepard, Blue Origin’s reusable suborbital launch vehicle, lifted off at 14:15 GMT from the Texas launch pad. To accommodate Benthaus’s mobility needs, the company installed specialized ground support equipment, and she skillfully transferred herself from her wheelchair into the capsule using a bench extending from the hatch.
Support and Inspiration: The Team Behind the Mission
During the mission, Hans Koenigsmann was strapped in nearby, ready to assist if needed. Benthaus recounted her first online meeting with Hans, simply asking: “You worked for so long for SpaceX, do you think that people like me can be astronauts?” Koenigsmann, inspired by her determination, said, “It’s her drive that kind of convinced me I should do that, too, and to just experience something that I’ve seen from the outside for a long time.”
Promoting Accessibility in Space Tourism
Benthaus, who works at the European Space Agency, quickly realized the challenges that people with disabilities face both on Earth and in space. “I have really, really figured out how inaccessible our world still is,” she stated after her accident. Blue Origin’s adjustments for the flight underline a growing emphasis on accessibility in space tourism.
Phil Joyce, senior vice-president of New Shepard, commented, “Michi’s flight is particularly meaningful, demonstrating that space is for everyone, and we are proud to help her achieve this dream.”
Blue Origin and the Future of Accessible Space Tourism
This mission marks the 16th suborbital space tourism flight by Blue Origin. While the cost of Benthaus’s flight remains undisclosed, the company has taken dozens of tourists into space, including celebrities such as pop star Katy Perry and CBS presenter Gayle King. In April, an all-women crew joined the ranks of civilians venturing beyond our atmosphere (source).
Private space companies like Blue Origin and SpaceX are fiercely competing to shape the future of commercial spaceflight, and Benthaus’s achievement sends a powerful message about inclusion and possibility.
Learn More About Blue Origin’s Missions
For further details on Blue Origin’s history-making flights and future plans, visit the official Blue Origin Newsroom.
Conclusion: Space Is for Everyone
Michaela Benthaus’s trailblazing journey as the world’s first wheelchair user to go into space with Blue Origin not only breaks new ground for accessibility in space travel, but also inspires countless others to pursue their dreams—no matter the challenges.
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