Blue Origin Launches First Wheelchair User to Space

Blue Origin successfully launched Michaela Benthaus, a German aerospace engineer and advocate for those with disabilities, into space, making her the first wheelchair user to achieve this milestone. The launch took place on Saturday, with the New Shepard spacecraft lifting off from Blue Origin's West Texas launch pad at 9:15 a.m.

EST. Benthaus, who suffered a spinal cord injury in 2018, was trained for the flight by Hans Koenigsmann, a former SpaceX manager, who also flew alongside her. During the ten-minute journey, Benthaus experienced weightlessness and described the experience as 'the coolest'.

After the flight, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity and emphasized the importance of representation for people with disabilities in space exploration. Blue Origin's flight marked their 16th with passengers since their first in July 2021, and Benthaus's journey highlights the growing conversation around inclusivity in aerospace.

While her seat cost was not disclosed, it is estimated that a seat on the New Shepard is upwards of $500,000. This flight not only set a precedent for disability representation in space but also raises questions about how individuals with disabilities can contribute to longer missions, emphasizing the need for accessibility in future space exploration efforts.