A paraplegic engineer from Germany, Michaela Benthaus, made history on March 30, 2024, as the first wheelchair user to travel to space. She launched aboard a Blue Origin rocket from West Texas, joining five other passengers on a ten-minute flight that showcased her determination to break barriers in space travel. Severely injured in a mountain biking accident seven years ago, Benthaus left her wheelchair behind to experience weightlessness and view Earth from above.
Accompanying Benthaus on this groundbreaking journey was Hans Koenigsmann, a retired executive from SpaceX who played a significant role in organizing her trip. Although the ticket prices were not disclosed, Koenigsmann and Blue Origin sponsored her flight, emphasizing the commitment to accessibility in space travel.
The New Shepard capsule, designed with inclusivity in mind, required only minor adjustments to accommodate Benthaus. According to Jake Mills, an engineer at Blue Origin, the capsule is intended to be accessible to a wider range of people compared to traditional spaceflight. Blue Origin has previously welcomed a diversity of space tourists, including individuals with limited mobility and sensory impairments.
To facilitate her experience, the company provided a patient transfer board, enabling Benthaus to move from the hatch to her seat. A carpet was laid on the desert floor upon landing, allowing for immediate access to her wheelchair. Koenigsmann assisted in the design and testing of these accommodations, ensuring a smooth experience for Benthaus.
At just 33 years old, Benthaus is part of the European Space Agency’s graduate trainee program in the Netherlands. She previously experienced weightlessness during a parabolic flight in Houston in 2022 and participated in a two-week simulated mission in Poland. Reflecting on her journey, she expressed disbelief that a spaceflight would ever be an option for her after her accident.
“There is like no history of people with disabilities flying to space,” Benthaus stated in an interview with The Associated Press prior to launch. When Koenigsmann approached her about the opportunity to fly on Blue Origin, she initially thought there was a misunderstanding but quickly signed on when it became clear the offer was genuine.
This flight was a private mission for Benthaus, with no involvement from the European Space Agency. However, the agency has made strides toward inclusivity in space; this year, it cleared former British Paralympian John McFall, an amputee, for a future mission to the International Space Station. While McFall uses a prosthetic leg and can evacuate a capsule independently, Benthaus relies on Koenigsmann as her emergency helper.
Benthaus emphasized her desire to be as independent as possible during the journey. Her broader ambition is to enhance accessibility not only in space but also on Earth. “I really hope it’s opening up for people like me; I hope I’m only the start,” she remarked, advocating for a more inclusive future.
In addition to Koenigsmann, Benthaus shared the spacecraft with various business executives and a computer scientist, marking a new chapter in the growing community of space travelers. With this flight, Blue Origin has now flown a total of 86 passengers since its first commercial launch in 2021. Founded by Jeff Bezos, the company continues to develop capabilities for orbital missions and lunar landers, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in space exploration.
Benthaus’s journey signifies not only personal triumph but also a pivotal step toward making space more accessible to individuals with disabilities. Her experience may inspire future innovations that promote inclusivity in all realms of exploration.
