Michaela Benthaus, a 33-year-old aerospace and mechatronics engineer at the European Space Agency, has made history by becoming the first wheelchair user to travel past the Kármán Line, a widely recognized boundary for outer space located at an altitude of 100 kilometers (62 miles) above sea level. Her groundbreaking journey took place on Saturday morning, aboard a Blue Origin New Shepard capsule, which launched from the company’s facilities near Van Horn, Texas. This mission, designated NS-37, is the 16th suborbital space tourism flight conducted by Blue Origin, a company founded in 2000 by Jeff Bezos with the goal of making space accessible to a broader audience.
Benthaus expressed her lifelong aspiration to explore space, although she initially doubted her own potential as a wheelchair user. “I always wanted to go to space, but I never really considered it something which I could actually do,” she told CNN prior to the flight. She reflected on her past thoughts, saying, “Maybe space is for people who have an amputated leg but still can walk a little bit. Maybe having a spinal cord injury is way too disabled.”
The drive for exploration intensified after Benthaus sustained a spinal cord injury in a 2018 mountain biking accident. This incident propelled her towards a career in engineering and research, focusing on challenges that accommodate her mobility needs.
The flight aboard the New Shepard capsule lasted approximately 10 minutes. The rocket accelerated Benthaus and her five crewmates to speeds exceeding three times the speed of sound, reaching the edge of space. The capsule is designed to provide passengers with a brief experience of weightlessness as it ascends, allowing them to enjoy stunning views of Earth before gravity pulls the capsule back down.
In a preflight interview, Benthaus mentioned her preparations for experiencing microgravity. She planned to use a specialized strap to secure her legs as she exited her seat to enjoy the view from the window. Having previously undergone a parabolic training flight, she felt more inclined to appreciate the scenery rather than engage in flips or other antics inside the cabin.
Benthaus is dedicated to improving the experience for future passengers with similar challenges. “I want to see how this leg strap works — and if not, what could maybe be improved in the future,” she stated. Before the flight, she acknowledged uncertainty about whether she would be able to return to her seat without assistance. Fortunately, Hans Koenigsmann, a former executive at SpaceX and a friend of Benthaus, accompanied her and was trained to provide help if required.
In addition to her personal journey, Benthaus aims to raise awareness and funds for spinal cord injury research through her involvement with the nonprofit organization Wings for Life. Her historic flight marks a significant milestone not only for her but also for inclusivity in space exploration, demonstrating that barriers can be broken for aspiring astronauts of all backgrounds.
Michaela Benthaus’s achievement serves as an inspiration to many, challenging perceptions and expanding opportunities within the realm of space travel.
