Michaela Benthaus, a paraplegic engineer from Germany, became the first wheelchair user in space on Saturday, after a 10-minute suborbital flight with Blue Origin. She soared to an altitude of more than 65 miles (105km) aboard the New Shepard capsule, launching from west Texas alongside five other passengers.
Blue Origin made minor adjustments to accommodate Benthaus, including a patient transfer board and a carpet for wheelchair access after landing. The company noted that the capsule was designed with accessibility in mind, having previously carried passengers with limited mobility or impaired senses.
Benthaus, 33, a graduate trainee at the European Space Agency, sustained a severe spinal cord injury in a mountain bike accident seven years ago. She had previously experienced weightlessness on a parabolic flight and participated in a simulated space mission. Her flight was sponsored by retired SpaceX executive Hans Koenigsmann, who also flew with her.
“I never really thought that going on a spaceflight would be a real option for me,” Benthaus said ahead of the flight. After touchdown, she urged others: “You should never give up on your dreams, right?” She aims to improve accessibility both in space and on Earth.
Benthaus’s journey contrasts with that of John McFall, a former Paralympian and amputee cleared for a future flight to the International Space Station. Unlike McFall, Benthaus cannot walk and required assistance to exit the capsule. Koenigsmann was designated as her emergency helper.
