A remarkable milestone was achieved when Michaela Benthaus, an engineer from Germany, became the world's first wheelchair user to go into space. After suffering a spinal cord injury from a mountain bike accident seven years ago, Benthaus reached out to retired space engineer Hans Koenigsmann to explore the possibility of fulfilling her dream of becoming an astronaut.
With Koenigsmann’s assistance, she embarked on a groundbreaking 10-minute flight with Blue Origin, the space tourism company founded by Jeff Bezos, which took off from Texas. The crew, which included Benthaus and five others, reached the Kármán line—the boundary of space—during their journey.
Post-flight, Benthaus expressed her excitement, saying, It was the coolest experience! I didn't only like the view and the micro-gravity, but I also liked going up. That was so cool, every stage of going up.”
During her mission, Benthaus used a specially designed bench to transfer from her wheelchair into the capsule while Koenigsmann was on standby for assistance. I met Hans online and asked, 'Do you think people like me can be astronauts? she recalled, emphasizing the importance of her journey for people with disabilities.
Ground support equipment was customized to facilitate her entry and exit from the capsule, making the flight an inclusive endeavor. Phil Joyce, senior vice-president of New Shepard, remarked, Michi's flight is particularly meaningful, demonstrating that space is for everyone, and we are proud to help her achieve this dream.”
The flight was part of Blue Origin’s 16th mission in suborbital space tourism, joining a notable list of previous passengers, including celebrities and prominent public figures. The details of the mission's cost remain undisclosed.
As private space companies compete vigorously in the space tourism sector, Benthaus's flight is a significant step towards inclusive accessibility in the space exploration realm.
