She just became the first wheelchair user to travel to space
a day ago
- #Space Exploration
- #Disability Inclusion
- #Blue Origin
- Michaela Benthaus, a 33-year-old German aerospace and mechatronics engineer, became the first wheelchair user to travel past the Kármán Line (100 km above sea level).
- She flew aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard capsule (mission NS-37) from Texas, marking the 16th suborbital space tourism launch by Blue Origin.
- Benthaus, who sustained a spinal cord injury in 2018, initially doubted her eligibility for space travel but pursued her passion for engineering and space exploration.
- The 10-minute flight included weightlessness and views of Earth, with Benthaus using a special strap to manage mobility in microgravity.
- She aims to improve space travel accessibility for future passengers with disabilities and is fundraising for spinal cord injury research via Wings for Life.
- Hans Koenigsmann, a former SpaceX executive, accompanied her and noted the flight's intensity, particularly the G-forces during descent.
- Benthaus successfully returned to her seat post-flight, describing the experience as 'cool' and praising the views and microgravity phase.
- Jared Isaacman, incoming NASA administrator, commended her achievement for inspiring millions.