Blue Origin's Inclusive Spaceflight Mission

German aerospace engineer Michaela Benthaus, who has used a wheelchair since a 2018 mountain biking accident, is set to make history as the first person with paraplegia to travel beyond Earth. Blue Origin's New Shepard will launch Benthaus and five other civilian astronauts on its 37th flight, scheduled for December 18 at 9:30 a.m.

ET from Launch Site One in West Texas. The crew includes aerospace engineer Hans Koenigsmann, investor Joey Hyde, entrepreneur Neal Milch, investor Adonis Pouroulis, and self-proclaimed space nerd Jason Stansell.

The flight will last 10 to 12 minutes, providing a few minutes of weightlessness. Benthaus expressed her excitement on LinkedIn, emphasizing the importance of this mission in changing mindsets within the space industry and increasing opportunities for people with disabilities.

The mission highlights the ongoing efforts to make spaceflight accessible, with organizations like AstroAccess advocating for inclusivity. Benthaus, an ambassador for AstroAccess since 2022, has participated in parabolic flights to experience zero gravity, paving the way for future astronauts with similar conditions.

She aims to validate strategies for accessibility in space, stating, 'I might be the first but have no intention of being the last.' According to Gizmodo, this mission is a significant step in redefining who can access space, demonstrating Blue Origin's commitment to inclusivity in space travel.