Archive · 18 Dec 2025
Blue Origin to Launch First Wheelchair User to Space
Michaela Benthaus, a German aerospace engineer who uses a wheelchair, is going to space on a Blue Origin rocket.
This is a big deal because she will be the first person in a wheelchair to travel to space.
She got hurt in a mountain biking accident but didn't give up on her dream.
The rocket, called New Shepard, will take her and five other people on a short trip to the edge of space.
They will experience weightlessness and see amazing views of Earth.
The launch will be on December 18, and you can watch it live on Blue Origin's website.
Michaela hopes her trip will make space travel more accessible for everyone, not just the first step.
Michaela Benthaus, a German aerospace engineer, will be the first wheelchair user to travel to space aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard NS-37.
The launch is scheduled for December 18, 2024, at 8:30 AM CST / 14:30 UTC from Launch Site One in West Texas.
Benthaus sustained a spinal cord injury in a 2018 mountain biking accident but continued her work in aerospace and advocacy for accessibility.
The New Shepard rocket is a reusable suborbital vehicle that allows passengers to experience microgravity and spectacular views of Earth.
A live webcast of the launch will be available on Blue Origin’s website and X (formerly Twitter) about 40 minutes before launch.
- Who
- Michaela Benthaus, a German aerospace engineer and wheelchair user, along with five other passengers.
- What
- The first suborbital space flight with a wheelchair user aboard.
- When
- December 18, 2024, at 8:30 AM CST / 14:30 UTC.
- Where
- Launch Site One, near Van Horn, West Texas.
- Why
- To achieve a milestone in space accessibility and inspire broader inclusion in space travel.
- Launch Date
- December 18, 2024
- Launch Time
- 8:30 AM CST / 14:30 UTC
- Launch Site
- Launch Site One, West Texas
- Rocket
- New Shepard NS-37
- Flight Duration
- Approximately 11 minutes
- Passengers
- 6 (including Michaela Benthaus)
- Live Stream
- Blue Origin's website and X (Twitter)
