German Engineer Becomes First Wheelchair User to Journey into Space

German aerospace engineer Michaela “Michi” Benthaus flew on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket (NS-37) on December 18, 2025, becoming the first wheelchair user to journey into space.

Benthaus uses a wheelchair after a mountain biking accident. She was able to achieve her milestone with a suborbital flight that crossed the Karman line, with a goal to promote space accessibility for people with disabilities.

“It was the coolest experience,” she said shortly after returning to Earth from the 10-minute flight. She works for the European Space Agency (ESA).

[PICTURED: Benthaus being helped from the Blue Origin capsule]