First astronaut in a wheelchair to launch into space
A Blue Origin rocket is set to launch Thursday carrying Michaela Benthaus, an aerospace and mechatronics engineer at the European Space Agency, marking a significant moment as she becomes the first wheelchair user to travel to space, reports BritPanorama.
Benthaus will fly on the mission known as NS-37, a partnership initiated after her conversation with Hans Koenigsmann, a former executive at SpaceX. During an event in Munich last year, Benthaus expressed her desire for spaceflight despite a spinal cord injury that left her unable to walk. Koenigsmann, determined to make her dream come true, began discussions with Blue Origin.
Koenigsmann noted that Benthaus initially considered a suborbital flight. Recognizing the potential of Blue Origin, which specializes in brief journeys to suborbital space, he reached out to his former competitors. “They responded really, really well to us,” he said.
Koenigsmann and Benthaus will join four other passengers aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket. Previous flights have seen more than 80 individuals, including high-profile names like Jeff Bezos and William Shatner, experience short journeys just above the Kármán Line, the recognized boundary of space.
“When Hans told me, ‘Blue is excited about this,’ I was like, ‘Are you sure? Are you sure you understood them correctly?’” Benthaus shared. She has long dreamed of space travel but had previously thought it unattainable.
The launch is set for Thursday at 8:30 a.m. CT (9:30 a.m. ET) from Blue Origin’s facility in Van Horn, Texas, with a livestream accessible on their website.
Embracing uncertainty
During the flight, Koenigsmann will act as Benthaus’ companion, ready to assist if necessary. She is set to enter and exit the New Shepard capsule independently, utilizing a small bench for access.
Benthaus will employ a strap to keep her legs together during the zero-gravity portion of the flight, which typically lasts three to four minutes. She is optimistic about returning to her seat without issue but appreciates Koenigsmann’s readiness to help.
Koenigsmann will also be on hand for any emergencies requiring a swift exit from the spacecraft. “Blue Origin is super well prepared,” Benthaus stated, having previously visited their Texas facilities to discuss her specific needs for the flight.
‘Way too disabled’?
Advocates for the disabled suggest that space travel may offer extraordinary opportunities for those with disabilities, as the experience of weightlessness can afford movement that isn’t possible under normal gravitational conditions.
Recent advancements include Hayley Arceneaux, a cancer survivor with a titanium prosthesis, who orbited Earth as part of a civilian mission in 2021. Furthermore, John McFall, a Paralympian with a prosthetic leg, recently became the first individual with a physical disability cleared to fly to the International Space Station, although he has not yet traveled to space.
Benthaus has expressed concerns that her spinal injury might bar her from similar opportunities. “Maybe space is for people who have an amputated leg but still can walk a little bit,” she said, reflecting on her doubts about the feasibility of space travel for someone with her condition.
Reaching space aboard Blue Origin could validate the experiences of others confined to wheelchairs who aspire to travel beyond Earth. Nonetheless, Benthaus recognizes that widespread access to space for individuals like herself remains a distant goal.
“In my case, Blue Origin is adapting the whole procedures,” she acknowledged, pointing out that such accommodations are not universally applicable.
Benthaus emphasizes the necessity for a more open-minded approach towards individuals with spinal injuries. “We need to be willing to change existing systems,” she argued, to facilitate more people with disabilities reaching orbit and beyond.
Additionally, financial barriers remain an issue, as the cost of commercial space travel can be prohibitive. While Blue Origin has not disclosed ticket prices, they are estimated to be substantial, based on the prices of competitors.
“I got lucky that I met Hans,” Benthaus said, expressing gratitude for Koenigsmann’s involvement in supporting her mission.
A dramatic exit from SpaceX
Koenigsmann has a storied history with SpaceX, where he contributed to the development of the Falcon 1 rocket and served as a central figure throughout the company’s early growth.
However, he departed SpaceX in 2021, reportedly after an internal conflict with Elon Musk concerning accountability for a problematic test flight. Although he continues to hold appreciation for Musk and his contributions to his career, Koenigsmann’s exit reflects the complexities of their professional relationship.
“I still love SpaceX,” he stated, acknowledging Musk’s significant impact on his career.
Achieving the impossible
Koenigsmann appreciates the unusual optics of his upcoming journey with Blue Origin, yet insists the mission transcends competitive rivalry. “I think the competition is good in general. There should be competition,” he expressed, emphasizing the importance of collaboration over personal disputes.
Benthaus has expressed joy about her pivotal role in this mission for wheelchair users, reflecting a broader societal shift towards inclusivity.
She has received overwhelming support from the public, including both disabled and able-bodied individuals, impressed by her groundbreaking opportunity.
Despite some backlash questioning the merits of accommodating disabled individuals in space travel, Benthaus remains committed to highlighting the potential for inclusivity and the importance of being prepared for future missions that may require adaptive measures. As humanity’s gaze turns toward further space exploration, the discourse around accessibility and inclusivity may become increasingly vital.
