Blue Origin is set to achieve a remarkable milestone by sending the first wheelchair user into space. Michaela ‘Michi’ Benthaus, an aerospace and mechatronics engineer, will make her historic flight aboard a New Shepard rocket this Thursday. The mission, NS-37, will take her and five other crew members beyond the Kármán line, a distance of 62 miles above Earth.
Details of the Historic Space Flight
The NS-37 mission marks Blue Origin’s 16th human flight, having successfully sent 86 individuals into space so far. The crew includes:
- Michaela ‘Michi’ Benthaus: A German engineer dedicated to space exploration and advocacy for accessibility.
- Joey Hyde: A physicist and retired hedge fund partner, inspired by a Space Shuttle launch in 1988.
- Hans Koenigsmann: An aerospace engineer known for his pivotal role in developing reusable launch vehicles.
- Neal Milch: A business executive and chair of Jackson Laboratory, focused on genetic research.
- Adonis Pouroulis: An entrepreneur with extensive experience in mining and energy innovation.
- Jason Stansell: A space enthusiast honoring his late brother during this flight.
Michaela Benthaus: A Trailblazer for Accessibility in Space
Benthaus suffered a spinal cord injury from a mountain biking accident in 2018. Since then, she has been a vocal advocate for greater access to space for individuals with disabilities. In 2022, she participated in a Zero-G research flight, famously known as the “Vomit Comet,” and took part in an analog astronaut mission on Earth.
The New Shepard Experience
The New Shepard spacecraft is designed for suborbital flights, providing brief experiences of microgravity. Unlike recent orbital missions, this journey will last approximately 10 to 12 minutes, during which the crew will cross the Kármán line before returning to Earth.
Launch Information
The launch is scheduled for Thursday at 9:30 a.m. ET from Blue Origin’s Launch Site One in West Texas. The mission is part of Blue Origin’s commitment to making space accessible to everyone.
This historic flight not only breaks barriers for wheelchair users but also symbolizes progress in space exploration and inclusion.
