A German engineer, Michaela Benthaus, has become the first wheelchair user to travel to space after blasting off aboard a Blue Origin rocket from West Texas on Saturday. Benthaus, 33, who was left paraplegic by a mountain bike accident seven years ago, flew with five other passengers on the company’s autonomous New Shepard capsule, reaching more than 65 miles above Earth.
Benthaus said she laughed throughout the ascent and briefly floated weightless during the roughly 10-minute flight. “It was the coolest experience,” she said after landing. Blue Origin said only minor adjustments were needed for the mission, noting the capsule was designed to be accessible “to a wider range of people than traditional spaceflight,” according to engineer Jake Mills.
The privately funded mission was organized with retired SpaceX executive Hans Koenigsmann, who also served as Benthaus’ designated emergency helper. Benthaus said the flight showed people with disabilities should not abandon their ambitions. “You should never give up on your dreams, right?” she said, adding she hopes the mission opens doors for others like her.