Meet Michaela Benthaus, the 33 year-old paraplegic engineer from Germany who’s made history. She will become the first ever wheelchair user to travel to space! That extraordinary milestone was achieved during a pioneer-making, ten-minute flight aboard Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos. The launch—which originated from West Texas—not only represents an incredible space exploration achievement, but a notable step toward disability representation in the stars.
Seven years ago, Benthaus suffered a complete spinal cord injury in a mountain bike crash. In doing so, she lost the use of her legs. But despite this life-altering event, she has continued to chase her dreams accordingly. She is now with the European Space Agency’s graduate trainee program based in the Netherlands. There, she’s honed her talents and fostered her aspirations to become an engineer.
To get ready for her trip, Benthaus had already felt moments of weightlessness themselves on a 2022 parabolic flight in Houston. Each of these short experiences in space-like conditions helped her to build a strong foundation towards her end goal. Less than two years later, she went on a two-week-long simulated space mission in Poland. This experience deepened her resolve to go out into the cosmos.
While training for the latest spaceflight, only a few small changes were required to overcome obstacles with accommodating Benthaus. An elevator was already available at the launch pad, allowing her to ascend the seven stories to reach the capsule atop the rocket. During the flight, she showed us her relentless spirit and independence, refusing help and demanding to do everything herself.
“You should never give up on your dreams, right?” – Michaela Benthaus
Then in space, Benthaus seemed so overjoyed he wanted to flip upside down and play in the weightless environment. The capsule rocketed more than 65 miles (105 kilometers) above Earth. This dramatic climb provided the consummate maker-fest experience that was equally exciting and energizing.
To Michaela Benthaus, she hopes her journey serves as an inspiration for others with disabilities. She said she hoped her success increased the accessibility of space and the world to everyone.
“I really hope it’s opening up for people like me, like I hope I’m only the start,” – Michaela Benthaus
Her vision connects her with a larger movement expanding the doors of the space exploration to be more inclusive. Jake Mills, a representative for Blue Origin, reiterated this commitment to democratizing space travel. He remarked on the significance of Benthaus’s mission: “making it more accessible to a wider range of people than traditional spaceflight.”
Benthaus’s story gives hope to people with disabilities. It equally inspires every one of us pursuing our passions in the face of adversity. Her story serves as an inspiring reminder that resilience and determination can help anyone overcome even the most daunting barriers.
