A historic moment for accessibility unfolded on Saturday when a wheelchair user travelled to space for the first time aboard a suborbital flight operated by Blue Origin.
The space company, founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos, launched its New Shepard mission at 8:15 a.m. local time from its West Texas facility. The fully automated flight lasted about 10 minutes and crossed the Kármán line, the internationally recognised boundary of space.
Among the passengers was Michaela Benthaus, a German aerospace and mechatronics engineer working at the European Space Agency. Benthaus uses a wheelchair following a spinal cord injury sustained in a mountain biking accident.
🚀 New Shepard NS-37 is GO for launch from Launch Site One tomorrow, including the first wheelchair user to go to space, expanding the boundaries of human spaceflight.
We are monitoring forecasted upper-level winds in West Texas. The launch window opens at 10:00 AM CST / 16:00… pic.twitter.com/s20j3cxU6r
— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) December 17, 2025Speaking in a video released by the company, Benthaus highlighted the broader meaning of the mission. She said the experience reinforced how inaccessible much of the world remains for people with disabilities. However, she stressed that true inclusion must extend to every area of society, including space exploration.
To space and back
Blue Origin's New Shepard just launched the first wheelchair user to Karman line (aka edge of space), along with five crewmates on a thrilling ~11-minute suborbital flight pic.twitter.com/vpSdCevpaw
— RT (@RT_com) December 20, 2025The New Shepard rocket lifted off vertically before the crew capsule separated mid-flight. After reaching space, the capsule returned safely to the Texas desert, descending gently under parachutes.
This marked Blue Origin’s 16th crewed mission as part of its ongoing space tourism program. While ticket prices remain undisclosed, dozens of people have already flown aboard New Shepard. Past passengers include pop star Katy Perry and actor William Shatner.
A paraplegic engineer has become the first wheelchair user in space, blasting off with Blue Origin. https://t.co/MvgCGDcZ8e pic.twitter.com/adneSl48uY
— azfamily 3TV CBS 5 (@azfamily) December 20, 2025High-profile flights like these help sustain public interest as private companies compete in the commercial space sector. Virgin Galactic offers a similar suborbital experience. Meanwhile, Blue Origin aims to expand beyond tourism.
Read: Astronaut or Space Tourist? Debate Ignites Over Blue Origin Flight
In fact, the company is positioning itself as a future rival to SpaceX. Earlier this year, Blue Origin completed two uncrewed orbital missions using its powerful New Glenn rocket, signalling its ambitions in the orbital launch market.
