German aerospace engineer Michaela (Michi) Benthaus has been using a wheelchair since a mountain biking accident in 2018 led to a spinal cord injury. Now, she’s breaking barriers in accessibility for space travel. Soon, she will make history as the first person with paraplegia to travel beyond Earth.
Michi will join five fellow astronauts on Blue Origin’s New Shepherd rocket for its 37th flight. Alongside her are former SpaceX engineer Hans Koenigsmann, investor Joey Hyde, entrepreneur Neal Milch, investor Adonis Pouroulis, and space aficionado Jason Stansell.
These suborbital flights last around 10 to 12 minutes, giving astronauts a taste of weightlessness. The NS-37 mission is set to launch from West Texas no earlier than 9:30 a.m. ET on December 18. Blue Origin will start live-streaming 40 minutes before takeoff.
In a LinkedIn post, Michi expressed her excitement: “This feels like an important step since space travel for people with disabilities is still in its infancy. I hope it inspires change in the space industry.”
Accessibility in space travel is crucial. Traditionally, astronauts have been highly trained and able-bodied. This has created barriers for those with disabilities. Recently, researchers have focused on these challenges, seeking ways to make space accessible for everyone.
One organization, AstroAccess, is at the forefront of this movement. Michi has been an ambassador for AstroAccess since 2022, participating in missions that simulate microgravity. This research aims to redesign spacecraft environments so that all astronauts can thrive in space.
The commercial space sector, especially tourism, is vital in diversifying space travel. Earlier this year, deaf and hard of hearing AstroAccess ambassadors completed training for New Shepherd missions. Now, Michi is ready to take this further as she becomes the first AstroAccess ambassador to participate in a New Shepherd flight. Her journey could open doors for future astronauts with similar conditions.
Michi reflected on her dreams in her post, saying, “I thought my chance to go to space had ended after my accident. I might be the first—but I won’t be the last.”
This historic mission signifies more than just space travel; it’s a powerful step towards inclusivity in the aerospace industry. As more voices like Michi’s rise, the landscape of space exploration could soon reflect a broader range of experiences and backgrounds.
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