Blue Origin successfully launched its 37th New Shepard mission today, marking a significant milestone by sending the first wheelchair user into space. The flight took off from West Texas at 8:15 a.m. CT, following a previous launch attempt that was aborted due to a technical issue.
Michaela "Michi" Benthaus, a 33-year-old aerospace engineer from Germany, was among six crew members on board. She has been an advocate for space access for individuals with disabilities after overcoming a spinal cord injury sustained in 2018. Benthaus expressed her excitement about the experience, stating it was “the coolest experience.”
This mission, known as NS-37, has now allowed 86 individuals to fly on New Shepard, including Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos. The company aims to continue making space travel accessible to a broader audience. Benthaus, inspired to become an astronaut at the age of 10, emphasized the importance of perseverance, saying, “You should never give up on your dreams.”
Phil Joyce, senior vice president for the New Shepard program, highlighted the significance of Benthaus's flight, reinforcing that space exploration should be inclusive for everyone.