Michaela Benthaus becomes first wheelchair user to travel past Kármán Line
Michaela Benthaus, a 33-year-old German aerospace and mechatronics engineer at the European Space Agency, has made history as the first wheelchair user to travel past the Kármán Line, a common demarcation for outer space at 100 kilometers (62 miles) above sea level, reports BritPanorama.
Her groundbreaking journey aboard a Blue Origin New Shepard capsule took flight on Saturday morning from the company’s launch facilities near Van Horn, Texas. This mission, designated NS-37, represents the 16th suborbital space tourism launch conducted by Blue Origin, which aims to broaden access to space beyond the traditional astronaut profile.
“I always wanted to go to space, but I never really considered it something which I could actually do,” Benthaus stated in a preflight interview. She expressed doubts about whether her spinal cord injury would permit her to join such missions, previously believing that space might be reserved for those with less severe disabilities.
Benthaus, who sustained spinal cord damage during a mountain biking accident in 2018, has redirected her adventurous spirit into her engineering pursuits. During the approximately ten-minute flight, the New Shepard rocket accelerated her and her five crewmates to speeds exceeding three times the speed of sound as they ascended past the Kármán Line.
The New Shepard is designed to offer passengers a brief period of weightlessness at the peak of its trajectory. Benthaus intended to use a special strap to secure her legs during the weightless phase, allowing her to exit her seat and take in the views of Earth from above.
In a prior parabolic flight experience, she had encountered microgravity, focusing more on observing the scenery than engaging in acrobatics. “I want to see how this leg strap works — and if not, what could maybe be improved in the future,” she remarked about her plans to enhance the experience for future passengers in similar situations.
With her flight, Benthaus is also raising funds for the spinal cord injury research nonprofit Wings for Life, underscoring her commitment to advancing the understanding and treatment of such injuries. As part of her preparations, she had employed Hans Koenigsmann, a former SpaceX executive and friend, to accompany her on the mission trained in case she needed assistance returning to her seat.
This historic space flight not only marks a personal milestone for Benthaus but also represents a progressive step towards inclusivity in the burgeoning field of commercial space travel, suggesting future possibilities for individuals with disabilities.
