In a giant leap for accessibility, German engineer Michaela Benthaus shattered barriers yesterday by becoming the first wheelchair user to reach space aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket. The 10-minute flight marks a pivotal moment in making space exploration inclusive 🛰️.
Defying Gravity & Expectations
Benthaus – an ESA aerospace engineer who uses a wheelchair after a 2018 mountain biking accident – crossed the Kármán line (100km above Earth) at 8:15 AM CST on December 20. 'Our world remains inaccessible in many ways,' she said in a pre-flight interview. 'True inclusion means reaching for the stars… literally!'
How the Mission Unfolded
The fully automated capsule: 1️⃣ Launched vertically from Texas 2️⃣ Detached mid-flight 3️⃣ Parachuted back safely …all while giving passengers 4 minutes of weightlessness ✨
Why This Matters in 2025
As space tourism accelerates, Benthaus' journey challenges industry norms during the UN Decade of Disability Rights (2023-2032). Her ESA team is now developing adaptive spacecraft interfaces – proving disability drives innovation 💡.
