A wheelchair user is set to make history by going to space for the first time next week. Blue Origin announced that its NS-37 mission is scheduled to launch on December 18. This exciting trip will take six people on a brief journey to suborbital space.
One of the passengers, Michaela Benthaus, is an aerospace engineer with the European Space Agency. Since suffering a spinal cord injury in a mountain-biking accident in 2018, she has used a wheelchair. Her participation highlights a major step toward greater access and inclusion in space travel.
NS-37 will lift off from Blue Origin’s site in West Texas, with a launch window opening at 9:30 a.m. EST. The entire flight lasts 10 to 12 minutes. Passengers will experience a few moments of weightlessness and get to see Earth from the edge of space.
The crew includes several notable figures: investor Joey Hyde, aerospace engineer Hans Koenigsmann, entrepreneur Neal Milch, investor Adonis Pouroulis, and space enthusiast Jason Stansell. Koenigsmann previously worked with SpaceX, helping to shape the early days of private space travel.
This mission is not just about thrill-seeking; it represents a turning point. Accessibility in space has often been limited to a select few. However, Benthaus’s journey signals progress in making space travel open to everyone.
Interestingly, the NS-37 mission patch features symbols that carry personal meanings for each passenger. For example, a hippo symbolizes Michaela’s favorite animal and her journey to recovery. Other symbols include a DNA strand and a baobab tree, each reflecting the passengers’ backgrounds and interests.
As society pushes for more inclusivity, missions like NS-37 pave the way for future space travel where everyone can participate. According to a 2021 survey by the Space Foundation, 73% of respondents believe that space exploration should be accessible to people with disabilities.
With technology advancing and people advocating for change, the future of space travel looks promising. As we approach the NS-37 launch, many are excited to see what this milestone brings.
For more information on the NS-37 mission, you can check Blue Origin’s official announcement.
