Michaela Benthaus, a female engineer from the European Space Agency (ESA) who has used a wheelchair for seven years after a mountain biking accident caused a spinal injury, made history as the first wheelchair user to experience space travel.
This mission began when she contacted Hans Koenigsmann, a former SpaceX senior executive, online to ask, "Can someone like me become an astronaut?" Her determination inspired him to coordinate with Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos's space tourism company, resulting in a 10-minute flight that the world will remember.
On Saturday (20 Dec 2023), the New Shepard spacecraft launched from its Texas launch site at 14:15 local time. On this flight, Michaela and five other passengers soared above the "Kármán line," the boundary between Earth's atmosphere and outer space.
Michaela moved from her wheelchair into the capsule by herself, using a special seat extension attached to the spacecraft door. Blue Origin installed additional ground equipment to facilitate easier boarding and exiting of the capsule.
After landing, she said in an interview, "It was the coolest experience! I didn’t just love the view and weightlessness—I loved every moment as the spacecraft soared upward."
Michaela revealed that after her accident, she realized the world remains difficult to access for many disabled people. Thus, this journey was not just personal but also a test of the system’s accessibility.
Phil Joyce, Blue Origin’s Senior Vice President, stated, "Michaela’s flight is highly significant, showing that space is for everyone, and we are proud to help make her dream come true."
This mission was Blue Origin’s 16th space tourism flight. Although ticket prices were not disclosed, the event occurred amid fierce competition among private companies like SpaceX and Virgin Galactic vying for leadership in the space tourism market. Previously, Blue Origin had flown celebrities such as Katy Perry and Lauren Sanchez to space in April.
/sourceBBC