German Engineer Michaela Benthaus Makes History as First Wheelchair User in Space

Historic Flight Achieved by German Engineer

In a landmark achievement for inclusive space exploration, Michaela Benthaus, a German aerospace and mechatronics engineer, successfully traveled to space on Saturday, December 20, 2025, becoming the first wheelchair user to do so. The historic suborbital flight was conducted by Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin, launching its New Shepard capsule from West Texas.

The mission, designated NS-37, saw Benthaus and five other passengers soar more than 105 kilometers (65 miles) above Earth's surface, crossing the internationally recognized Kármán Line, the boundary of outer space. The entire experience lasted approximately 10 minutes, during which passengers experienced several minutes of weightlessness. Benthaus described the experience as 'the coolest experience' and said she 'laughed all the way up'.

Benthaus's Journey to Space

Michaela Benthaus, 33, who is an employee of the European Space Agency (ESA), sustained a spinal cord injury in a mountain biking accident seven years ago, which led to her using a wheelchair. Despite her initial belief that her dream of space travel was over, her determination to make space more accessible grew. She has previously experienced microgravity during a parabolic airplane flight in 2022 and participated in a two-week simulated space mission in Poland.

Her mission was a private endeavor, distinct from the ESA's ongoing 'parastronaut' feasibility project, which involves British Paralympian John McFall, an amputee. Benthaus's flight highlights the growing opportunities for private citizens to venture beyond Earth's atmosphere.

Accommodations and Advocacy for Accessibility

To facilitate Benthaus's journey, Blue Origin implemented minor, yet crucial, adjustments. These included adding a patient transfer board inside the capsule to assist her in moving between the hatch and her seat. Upon landing in the Texas desert, a carpet was unrolled to provide immediate access to her wheelchair, which she had left behind at liftoff.

Accompanying Benthaus on the flight was Hans Koenigsmann, a retired SpaceX executive and fellow German, who helped organize and sponsor her trip. Koenigsmann was also designated as her emergency helper during the flight, assisting her out of the capsule after landing. Benthaus is a vocal advocate for accessibility, stating, 'If we want to be an inclusive society, we should be inclusive in every part, and not only in the parts we like to be.' Her goal is to improve accessibility not only in space but also on Earth.

A Step Towards a More Inclusive Future in Space

Benthaus's successful flight is seen as a significant stride towards making space travel more inclusive for individuals with disabilities. Her journey serves as an inspiration, demonstrating that physical limitations do not necessarily preclude the pursuit of dreams in space exploration. As she urged following touchdown, 'You should never give up on your dreams, right?' This mission underscores a shifting mindset within the space industry, paving the way for future opportunities for a wider range of individuals.