German Engineer Michaela Benthaus Makes History as First Wheelchair User to Travel to Space
Her Blue Origin flight proves that space exploration can be inclusive writes Santhosh Kumar
Udaipur, Dec 24, 2025: A German engineer has made history by becoming the world’s first wheelchair user to go into space. Michaela Benthaus, who was paralysed after a mountain biking accident seven years ago, fulfilled her lifelong dream with a landmark flight aboard Blue Origin's new shepard rocket.
The 10-minute suborbital mission lifted off from Texas on Saturday, carrying benthaus and five other passengers beyond the kármán line — the recognised boundary of space. After landing, she described the journey as “the coolest experience,” saying she enjoyed not only the view and micro-gravity, but every stage of the ascent.
Benthaus, who works with the European Space agency, had earlier contacted retired space engineer Hans Koenigsmann online to ask whether someone with a disability could still become an astronaut. Inspired by her determination, Koenigsmann helped organise the historic mission and accompanied her on the flight to assist if needed.
Blue Origin added special ground equipment to ensure safe access to the capsule, though benthaus independently transferred from her wheelchair using a bench attached to the hatch. company officials said her journey proves that space exploration can be inclusive.
The cost of the mission was not disclosed. The flight marks blue origin’s 16th space tourism launch, as private space companies continue to compete for leadership in commercial space travel.
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