A woman in a wheelchair went into suborbital space
German engineer Michaela Benthouse, who became paraplegic after a mountain biking accident seven years ago, has become the first person in history using a wheelchair to visit space.
She went on a suborbital flight on a rocket from Blue Origin, a company founded by Jeff Bezos, writes the Associated Press.
The launch took place in West Texas. The New Shepard capsule rose to a height of more than 105 kilometres, providing passengers with several minutes of weightlessness. The flight lasted about 10 minutes in total. Benthouse flew with five other passengers, including former SpaceX top executive Hans Koenigsmann, who helped organise and fund her participation in the mission.
"It was the most incredible experience of my life," Benthouse said after landing, noting that she laughed on takeoff and even tried to flip over in weightlessness.
Minimal change - maximum impact
According to Blue Origin, the flight required only minor technical tweaks. In particular, the capsule used a special transfer board so that Benthouse could move independently between the hatch and the seat. After landing on a deserted pad, the recovery team was given quick access to her wheelchair.
The New Shepard capsule was originally designed with accessibility in mind, and the launch pad was already equipped with a lift to take the crew up several floors. The company has previously sent people with limited mobility, as well as passengers with hearing and visual impairments, into space.
From doubt to history
benthouse, 33, is part of the European Space Agency's Young Professionals Training Programme in the Netherlands. She has previously completed weightlessness flights in a parabolic aircraft and participated in a simulated space mission. However, she said, she never thought real spaceflight would be possible for her.
"People with disabilities just didn't have that precedent," she admitted before the launch.
Her mission was not ESA-bound, but the agency has already approved backup astronaut John McFall - an amputee and former Paralympian - to participate in a future mission to the ISS this year.
"I hope this is just the beginning."
Benthouse emphasises that her goal is not only to make space more accessible, but also to raise awareness of accessibility issues on Earth.
"Never give up on your dreams," she said after landing. - "I really hope that my flight will open doors for other people as well."
The launch brings Blue Origin's total number of space tourists to 86 and is an important step toward inclusivity in private space.