Wheelchair Engineer Michaela Benthaus Makes History on Blue Origin Space Flight

Aerospace engineer Michaela Benthaus became the first wheelchair user to reach space. She launched aboard a Blue Origin New Shepard rocket on Saturday. The mission lifted off from the company’s West Texas launch site.

The fully automated, ten-minute flight crossed the Kármán line. This is the internationally recognized boundary of space. The achievement marks a major milestone for accessibility in human spaceflight.

From Accident to Orbit: An Engineer’s Journey

Michaela Benthaus is a 33-year-old German engineer. She works with the European Space Agency’s graduate program. A mountain biking accident caused a spinal cord injury years ago.

She told The Associated Press she never thought spaceflight was an option. The field is highly competitive even for the healthiest people. There was simply no history of astronauts with disabilities flying.

Her perspective changed with this flight. She laughed all the way up during the ascent. The capsule soared more than 65 miles above Earth.

A Mission of Inclusion with Minor Adjustments

Blue Origin stated the flight required only minor adjustments for accessibility. According to AP, the company added a transfer board to the capsule. This allowed Benthaus to move from the hatch to her seat easily.

The recovery team also laid a carpet on the desert landing site. This provided immediate access to her wheelchair after touchdown. Engineer Jake Mills said the capsule was designed to be accessible from the start.

This was the 16th crewed flight for Blue Origin’s New Shepard vehicle. It demonstrates how private spaceflight can evolve to be more inclusive. The move opens new possibilities for future astronauts.

This historic flight proves space is becoming more accessible. Michaela Benthaus’s journey as the first wheelchair user in space inspires millions. It challenges old assumptions about who can explore the final frontier.

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Who is Michaela Benthaus?

Michaela Benthaus is a German aerospace and mechatronics engineer. She is part of the European Space Agency’s graduate trainee program in the Netherlands. A past spinal cord injury means she uses a wheelchair for mobility.

What rocket did she fly on?

She flew on Blue Origin’s New Shepard suborbital rocket. The fully automated vehicle launched from Texas. The entire mission lasted about ten minutes.

Why is this flight significant?

It is the first time a wheelchair user has traveled to space. It sets a precedent for inclusivity in human spaceflight. The mission required only minimal adjustments to the spacecraft.

How did Blue Origin accommodate her?

The company added a simple patient transfer board inside the capsule. Their ground crew also laid a carpet for wheelchair access after landing. The vehicle’s design was already relatively accessible.

What did Benthaus say about the experience?

She told The Associated Press it was “the coolest experience.” She laughed during the ascent and enjoyed weightlessness. She hopes it inspires a more inclusive view of human potential.

How many people have flown with Blue Origin?

Dozens of private astronauts have now flown on New Shepard. Notable passengers have included actor William Shatner and singer Katy Perry. This was the program’s 16th crewed mission overall.