German Spinal Cord–Injured Female Engineer Flies into Space Aboard Blue Origin Spacecraft | WPN World People News

A German female engineer who is paralyzed from the waist down flew into space aboard a Blue Origin spacecraft on the 20th local time, together with five other passengers. The mission completed a 10-minute suborbital flight and returned safely to Earth, making her the first wheelchair user to travel into space.

The 33-year-old engineer, Michaela Benthaus, currently works at the European Space Agency (ESA). She was left paralyzed in her lower body after an off-road cycling accident and relies on a wheelchair for mobility. For this space journey, Blue Origin arranged multiple training sessions for Benthaus and specially installed a transfer board to allow her to move more easily inside the capsule. She also noted that for people with physical disabilities, building a truly inclusive society should be realized at all levels. The spaceflight lasted about 10 minutes. Phil Joyce, Senior Vice President of Blue Origin, stated that the mission carried significant symbolic meaning, demonstrating that space “belongs to everyone.”

It is reported that Blue Origin has been offering space tourism services for many years and has now completed its 16th crewed flight, bringing the total number of people who have traveled to space to 86. These passengers include corporate executives, investors, and computer scientists, as well as pop superstar Katy Perry and Star Trek actor William Shatner. Private space companies often invite high-profile passengers to maintain public attention amid market competition. Even for people in good physical health, traveling to space is no easy feat, making this the first instance of a person with disabilities flying into space.

Another company competing with Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, also offers suborbital spaceflight experiences. However, Blue Origin has already put its larger New Glenn rocket into operation this year, completing two uncrewed orbital flights as it seeks to stand out in the rapidly growing private space tourism market.