In a groundbreaking achievement for the aerospace industry, Blue Origin successfully launched Michaela Benthaus, an engineer and disability advocate, to the edge of space on October 7, 2023. The flight, which lasted approximately ten minutes, reached an altitude of over 65 miles above Earth, allowing Benthaus to experience a few minutes of weightlessness alongside five other passengers.
Benthaus, who is a German aerospace engineer, sustained a spinal cord injury in a mountain biking accident in 2018. This historic journey marks her as the first individual with a significant physical handicap to fly in space. She was joined by a retired SpaceX manager, Hans Koenigsmann, and four entrepreneurs for the trip aboard the New Shepard capsule, which launched from Blue Origin’s facility in West Texas.
During an interview after the flight, Benthaus expressed her excitement, stating, “It was the coolest experience!” She reflected on the thrill of weightlessness and the ascent, noting, “I didn’t only like the view and the microgravity, but I also liked the going up. That was so cool, every stage of going up.”
Koenigsmann, who played a pivotal role in facilitating Benthaus’ participation, emphasized her inspiring drive. “It’s her drive that kind of convinced me I should do that, too,” he remarked. The duo had connected online last year, leading to Benthaus’s opportunity to fly with Blue Origin.
Prior to the launch, Benthaus was able to maneuver from her wheelchair into the New Shepard capsule with assistance from a bench designed specifically for this purpose. Koenigsmann was strapped in nearby to provide support during the flight if necessary.
The launch, delayed by two days due to technical issues, commenced at 9:15 a.m. EST on Saturday. The New Shepard rocket climbed rapidly, reaching speeds nearly three times that of sound before its main engine shut down approximately two-and-a-half minutes into the flight. At this point, the capsule continued its ascent autonomously, allowing the crew to experience the sensation of weightlessness.
The passengers were able to enjoy stunning views through the largest windows ever flown in space. One passenger was heard exclaiming, “Oh, my God,” while another described the experience as “incredible.”
As the capsule began its descent, the crew was instructed to return to their seats and buckle in for the atmospheric re-entry, which subjects them to about five times the normal pull of gravity. The booster followed a controlled trajectory, landing safely back at the launch site. The capsule descended under three parachutes, landing in a cloud of dust near the booster.
Upon exiting the spacecraft, all six passengers celebrated their return. Benthaus was the last to leave, assisted into a wheelchair by Koenigsmann and a member of Blue Origin’s recovery team. “You should never give up on your dreams, right?” she said, expressing gratitude to Blue Origin and those who made the journey possible.
While Blue Origin does not disclose the cost of a ticket on the New Shepard, estimates suggest it could exceed $500,000. Details surrounding the financing for Benthaus’s seat remain undisclosed.
This flight represents Blue Origin’s 16th mission with passengers since its inaugural launch in July 2021, bringing the total number of individuals sent to space to 92. Although Benthaus is the first to fly with significant physical limitations, European Space Agency astronaut John McFall, who has a prosthetic leg, has also been selected for a future mission to the International Space Station.
As the space industry evolves, Benthaus’s successful flight raises important questions about inclusivity in future space missions. In a conversation with CNN, she highlighted the need for consideration of individuals with disabilities in long-duration missions, saying, “People with disabilities actually bring value to a crew. … You develop a very special resilience.”
The progress made by Blue Origin and other space agencies in accommodating diverse passengers opens new avenues for exploration and potential future missions to destinations such as Mars.
