Blue Origin Breaks Barriers: First Astronaut Using a Wheelchair Soars to Space

On December 18, 2025, Blue Origin's NS-37 mission achieved a significant milestone by sending the first astronaut who uses a wheelchair into space. Michi Benthaus, an aerospace engineer affiliated with the European Space Agency, was among six travelers aboard the New Shepard rocket, marking a pivotal moment for accessibility within the realm of space travel and tourism.

Benthaus, reliant on a wheelchair since sustaining injuries in a mountain biking accident in 2018, joined a diverse group of passengers including professionals from aerospace, investors, and entrepreneurs. Their short suborbital journey provided several minutes of weightlessness and a breathtaking vantage point of Earth beyond the Kármán line—approximately 62 miles (100 km) above the surface.

New Shepard: Revolutionizing Suborbital Space Travel

Blue Origin's New Shepard vehicle continues its role as a leader in suborbital tourism, now completing 37 missions. Its reusable architecture enables quick, exhilarating flights that typically last 10 to 12 minutes.

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Michaela (Michi) Benthaus, aerospace engineer at the European Space Agency, is set to become the first person using a wheelchair to fly in space. Credit: DPA/Blue Origin/AP

The passengers, including Michi Benthaus, enjoyed a brief weightless experience and stunning views of our planet against the cosmic backdrop. Space.com reports that prior to this, New Shepard had completed 36 crewed missions, carrying a total of 86 individuals.

Although Blue Origin has kept ticket pricing confidential, these flights represent a meaningful step toward civilian space accessibility.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome you onboard, Michi! New Shepard’s mission is to make space accessible to everyone. This is a meaningful step towards that future and an inspiration for others to see what’s possible,” Blue Origin wrote in a social media post.

Michi Benthaus: Pioneering Inclusion in Spaceflight

Michi Benthaus' voyage marks a defining achievement for the disabled community within aerospace. Since her accident in 2018, she has contributed extensively to the European Space Agency workforce. Her participation on the NS-37 flight makes her the first wheelchair user to journey beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

“I’m beyond excited,” Benthaus mentioned in a social media update. “I thought my dream of going to space had ended forever when I had my accident. But over the past few months, I’ve been working with an amazing and supportive team to make it possible for a wheelchair user to take part in a suborbital flight, something that’s never been done before.”

Advancing Diversity in Modern Space Exploration

Featuring Benthaus among its historic crew, Blue Origin highlights its commitment to inclusivity and diversity in space travel. The mission included prominent figures such as aerospace expert Hans Koenigsmann, a veteran of SpaceX, along with entrepreneurs Joey Hyde and Adonis Pouroulis, illustrating the expanding range of individuals participating in commercial spaceflights.

NS-37’s success signals a future in which space exploration technology evolves alongside efforts to broaden participation beyond traditional boundaries. Companies like Blue Origin continue to expand the frontiers of who can experience space, making journeys more inclusive with each mission flown.