The First Person in a Wheelchair to Go to Space
Saturday, 2025/12/27163 words3 minutes171 reads
Michaela Benthaus, a German engineer, has made history by becoming the world's first wheelchair user to journey into space. This remarkable achievement occurred during a 10-minute flight organized by Blue Origin, the space tourism company founded by Jeff Bezos.
Benthaus, who suffered a spinal cord injury in a mountain biking accident seven years ago, refused to let her disability hinder her astronaut dreams. She reached out to a retired space engineer online, who then helped arrange this groundbreaking flight.
The historic launch took place in Texas, with Benthaus and five others blasting off in Blue Origin's New Shepard vehicle. They reached a point just above the Kármán line, considered the boundary of space. Upon returning, Benthaus enthusiastically described the experience as 'the coolest,' particularly enjoying the view, the micro-gravity, and the ascent process.
This milestone flight not only fulfilled Benthaus's personal dream but also demonstrated that space exploration can be accessible to people with disabilities, potentially opening doors for more inclusive future missions.
