Blue Origin’s NS-37 Flight to Feature First Wheelchair User in Space

Blue Origin is set to launch its upcoming NS-37 space tourism flight, which will carry six passengers to suborbital space. Among them is Michaela “Michi” Benthaus, who is poised to make history as the first wheelchair user to travel to space. While the exact launch date has yet to be announced, her participation marks a significant milestone in the journey toward inclusivity in space exploration.

Benthaus became wheelchair-bound in 2018 following a mountain biking accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury. Her passion for space led her to participate in a parabolic flight in 2022 with AstroAccess, where she became one of the first wheelchair users to conduct accessibility experiments in a microgravity environment. During her journey, she completed 18 parabolas and contributed to pioneering experiments aimed at ensuring individuals with disabilities can effectively navigate and secure themselves in weightless conditions.

Advancing Accessibility in Space

Currently studying at the TUM School of Engineering and Design in Munich, Germany, Benthaus is also a young graduate trainee at the European Space Agency (ESA). AstroAccess, which is a project of SciAccess, Inc., aims to enhance disability inclusion in human space exploration. Founded in 2021, the initiative has conducted five microgravity missions, allowing disabled individuals—including scientists, veterans, and artists—to demonstrate the feasibility of flying in space.

AstroAccess emphasizes the message: “If we can make space accessible, we can make any space accessible.” Their work is paving the way for a broader range of individuals to experience space travel, breaking down barriers that have historically limited participation.

A Historical Perspective on Inclusivity

Alan Ladwig, a former NASA official, views Benthaus’s upcoming flight as a pivotal moment in space travel history. Ladwig, who has been involved with NASA since 1981, highlights the progress made since the early days of the space shuttle program. He recalls a crucial incident in June 1984 when the STS-41D mission faced an abort scenario, which raised concerns about safety for individuals with disabilities.

In 1985, a paraplegic individual was a finalist for the Journalist in Space Program, prompting discussions about the risks associated with selecting disabled astronauts. Ladwig notes that these concerns reflected a broader reluctance to include civilians in space travel, particularly those with disabilities.

The late Harriet Jenkins, who headed NASA’s Office of Equal Opportunity, conducted a study in the mid-1980s exploring the potential for individuals with disabilities to participate in shuttle missions. However, following the Challenger disaster in January 1986, the findings were sidelined, and the prospect of civilian space travel—especially for disabled individuals—remained stagnant.

Recent developments indicate a shift in this narrative. The ESA astronaut class selected in November 2022 included John McFall, a former Paralympic athlete, as part of the Parastronaut Feasibility Project. This initiative aims to assess whether people with disabilities can safely join missions to the International Space Station (ISS).

Ladwig asserts that the study, set to conclude in 2024, will affirm the feasibility of including disabled individuals in space missions. Although no specific plans have been established yet, the progress made by organizations like AstroAccess is commendable and essential for expanding opportunities in space travel.

Michaela Benthaus’s journey to space represents an important step toward inclusivity. As she prepares for her historic flight with Blue Origin, her experience holds the potential to inspire a new generation of diverse astronauts and advocates for accessibility in space exploration.