Wheelchair user becomes first to travel into space

HOUSTON: A German engineer has become the first wheelchair user to travel into space, marking a historic milestone in space tourism and accessibility.

Michaela Benthaus, an aerospace and mechatronics engineer with the European Space Agency, flew aboard a Blue Origin suborbital mission on Saturday. The flight lifted off at 8:15am local time from the company’s launch site in Texas.

Blue Origin, owned by American billionaire Jeff Bezos, said the New Shepard rocket carried its passengers beyond the Karman line, the internationally recognised boundary of space, during the approximately 10-minute journey.

Benthaus, who uses a wheelchair following a spinal cord injury sustained in a mountain biking accident, said the experience highlighted the need for greater inclusion.

“After my accident, I realised how inaccessible our world still is for people with disabilities,” she said in a video released by the company, adding that inclusion should extend to all areas of society.

The fully automated rocket lifted off vertically before the crew capsule detached in flight and returned safely to the Texas desert, descending gently under parachutes.

The mission marked Blue Origin’s 16th crewed flight as the company continues to offer space tourism experiences, though ticket prices have not been disclosed.

US space agency NASA chief Jared Isaacman congratulated Benthaus on social media, saying she had inspired millions by showing what is possible.

Blue Origin has previously taken dozens of passengers into space, including pop singer Katy Perry and actor William Shatner, best known for his role as Captain Kirk in Star Trek. The company says such high-profile flights help maintain public interest as private space firms compete for dominance in the sector.

While Virgin Galactic also offers suborbital flights, Blue Origin has broader ambitions, aiming to compete with Elon Musk’s SpaceX in orbital missions.

Earlier this year, the company successfully completed two uncrewed orbital test flights using its New Glenn rocket, which is significantly more powerful than the New Shepard vehicle.