Blue Origin made history Saturday by sending a person who uses a wheelchair into space for the first time. The mission crossed the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space located 62 miles above Earth.
Michaela “Michi” Benthaus, an aerospace engineer, flew aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket alongside five other crew members. The team, calling themselves the “Out of the Blue” crew, experienced several minutes of weightlessness before safely returning to Earth.
The full mission lasted about 10 minutes from liftoff to landing.
A Mission Designed With Accessibility in Mind
During the live webcast, Blue Origin confirmed that no special modifications were needed for Benthaus. The launch tower already includes an elevator, and the crew capsule was designed from the start to support people with disabilities and reduced mobility.
This design choice allowed Benthaus to fly without changes to the vehicle, marking a major milestone for accessible spaceflight.
Blue Origin stated that the mission showed how future space travel can include a broader range of people.
Who Is Michi Benthaus
Benthaus suffered a spinal cord injury in a mountain biking accident in 2018. Despite that setback, she continued her career in aerospace and now works as an aerospace and mechatronics engineer at the European Space Agency.
She told ABC News she had been waiting a long time for this opportunity. “I am excited to show the world that also wheelchair users can go on a suborbital flight,” she said.
She added that she was grateful for Blue Origin’s support in making the mission possible.
ABC News coverage of the launch
Breaking Barriers Beyond the Atmosphere
In a profile video released by Blue Origin before the launch, Benthaus reflected on her journey. She said there was never a moment when her dream of going to space felt over.
She also spoke about everyday barriers on Earth. Benthaus explained that the world remains inaccessible in many ways and that wheelchairs can still lead to social exclusion.
Her flight, she said, was about showing what is possible when barriers are removed.
Part of a Larger Push for Inclusion
Blue Origin partners with AstroAccess, a project focused on disability inclusion in human space exploration. AstroAccess is sponsored by the nonprofit SciAccess, Inc.
The group works to ensure future missions are accessible to people with disabilities from the earliest stages of design.
According to Blue Origin, this mission represents a shift in who gets to experience space.
Blue Origin Says Space Is for Everyone
In a statement, Blue Origin said the crew represented the diversity of people who can now fly to space. The company highlighted backgrounds ranging from science and engineering to education and entrepreneurship.
“Michi’s flight is particularly meaningful,” the company said. “It demonstrates that space is for everyone.”
Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos has previously said that commercial spaceflight is about expanding access beyond professional astronauts.
Blue Origin official mission statements
A Moment That Redefines Who Space Is For
Benthaus returned safely to Earth with her crew using parachutes and a retro thrust landing system. The capsule touched down as planned in the West Texas desert.
Her flight marked more than a technical success. It sent a powerful message about inclusion, representation, and the future of space exploration.
For the first time, a wheelchair user crossed the edge of space. It may not be the last.