A German engineer who was paralyzed in a cycling accident seven years ago became the first wheelchair user to travel to space on Saturday, launching aboard a suborbital rocket operated by Blue Origin, the private space company founded by Jeff Bezos.
Michaela Benthaus flew from West Texas with five other passengers on Blue Origin’s autonomous New Shepard capsule, leaving her wheelchair behind to experience several minutes of weightlessness before returning to Earth. We reached out to Blue Origin for comment.
Why It Matters
The flight marks a milestone for accessibility in commercial spaceflight, demonstrating that suborbital missions can accommodate people with severe physical disabilities with limited modifications. It also highlights the growing role of private companies in expanding who can participate in space travel, outside of traditional government astronaut programs.
The mission comes as space agencies and commercial providers face increased scrutiny over inclusivity, particularly as space tourism and private missions become more common.
What To Know
A historic suborbital flight.
Benthaus, 33, launched Saturday aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, reaching an altitude of more than 65 miles above Earth, according to The Associated Press. The total flight lasted about 10 minutes, including more than three minutes of weightlessness.
Minimal design changes were required.
Blue Origin said only minor adjustments were needed to accommodate Benthaus, including the addition of a patient transfer board to help her move between the capsule hatch and her seat. The capsule was originally designed with accessibility in mind, said Jake Mills, a Blue Origin engineer who trained the crew, in comments reported by the AP.
Who flew with her.
Benthaus was accompanied by Hans Koenigsmann, a retired SpaceX executive who helped organize and sponsor her flight. Ticket prices were not disclosed. Koenigsmann was designated as Benthaus’ emergency assistant during the mission and helped her exit the capsule after landing.
What the flight does not establish.
The mission was a privately funded space tourism flight and does not signal a change in astronaut selection standards for government-led missions. Benthaus’ flight involved no participation from the European Space Agency, according to the AP.
What People Are Saying
“It was the coolest experience,” Benthaus said shortly after landing, adding that she laughed throughout the ascent and attempted to turn upside down while floating in space, according to AP reporting.
“I never really thought that going on a spaceflight would be a real option for me,” Benthaus told the AP before launch, citing the competitiveness of space travel even for able-bodied candidates.
“You should never give up on your dreams,” she said following touchdown.
Jake Mills, a Blue Origin engineer, said the capsule’s design made it “more accessible to a wider range of people than traditional spaceflight,” in comments reported by the AP.
What Happens Next
Blue Origin said Benthaus’ flight brings the company’s total number of space travelers to 86. The company continues to operate suborbital tourism flights while also developing lunar landers and conducting orbital missions with its New Glenn rocket.
Benthaus has said she hopes her flight will open doors not only in space travel but also for broader accessibility efforts on Earth.
