A German engineer has become the first wheelchair user to go to space, after taking a short trip aboard a spacecraft belonging to Blue Origin.
The company launched its New Shepard rocket on a new suborbital mission at 8:15 a.m. local time from its base in Texas.
The aerospace and mechatronics engineer, Michaela Bendhaus, along with five other space tourists, crossed the Kármán line, which marks the boundary between the atmosphere and space, on the flight which lasted about ten minutes.
Bendhaus: We must be inclusive in every aspect
Michaela Bendhaus uses a wheelchair as a result of a spinal cord injury from a mountain biking accident.
She said in a video released by Blue Origin: “After the accident I had, I truly realized how much our world is still closed off to people with disabilities,” adding, “If we want to be an inclusive society, we must be inclusive in every aspect, not just in the aspects we want to be inclusive in.”
The fully automated rocket launched towards space, then the capsule carrying the space tourists separated from it before landing gently in the Texas desert. This is the 16th crewed flight for Blue Origin, which has for years offered a space tourism program using its New Shepard rocket, without announcing its cost.
NASA Administrator: Michaela inspired millions to look to the sky
The new administrator of NASA sent congratulations to Michaela in a post on the platform X, saying: “You have inspired millions to look to the sky and imagine what is possible.”
Dozens of people have traveled to space with Blue Origin, including singer Katy Perry and actor William Shatner, who portrayed Captain Kirk in the series Star Trek.
Private space companies offering space flights seek to promote their services through famous and prominent figures in order to maintain their edge as competition intensifies.
Blue Origin also has ambitions to compete with Elon Musk’s SpaceX in the orbital spaceflight market. This year, the company successfully conducted two uncrewed orbital flights using its massive, more advanced New Glenn rocket.
German
Germany is a country in Central Europe with a rich and complex history, having been a collection of states for centuries before unification in 1871. Its 20th-century history was profoundly shaped by both World Wars and the subsequent division and reunification of East and West Germany in 1990. Today, it is known for its influential cultural contributions in philosophy, music, literature, and engineering.
wheelchair
The wheelchair is not a specific place or cultural site, but a mobility device with a long history. Its earliest known depictions date back to ancient China and Greece, with significant evolution into the modern self-propelled chair beginning in the 18th century.
space
Space is the vast expanse beyond Earth’s atmosphere, encompassing all celestial bodies and the vacuum between them. Human exploration of space began in the mid-20th century with the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, leading to crewed missions, lunar landings, and the ongoing operation of the International Space Station. It is a frontier for scientific discovery, studying the origins of the universe and the potential for life elsewhere.
Blue Origin
Blue Origin is an American private aerospace manufacturer and spaceflight services company founded in 2000 by Jeff Bezos. Its primary goal is to develop technologies to enable private human access to space, with notable achievements including the reusable New Shepard suborbital rocket and the development of the New Glenn orbital launch vehicle.
New Shepard
New Shepard is a reusable suborbital launch vehicle developed by Blue Origin, designed to carry passengers and payloads to the edge of space. Named after astronaut Alan Shepard, the first American in space, it completed its first crewed flight in 2021, marking a significant milestone in commercial space tourism.
rocket
The Rocket is a historic pub located in Islington, London, originally built in the early 19th century. It is famously associated with the 1829 Rainhill Trials, where George Stephenson’s pioneering steam locomotive “The Rocket” won, helping to usher in the railway age. The pub’s name commemorates this landmark event in engineering history.
Texas
Texas is a state in the southern United States that was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes before becoming a Spanish colony and later part of Mexico. It declared independence as the Republic of Texas in 1836 and joined the United States as the 28th state in 1845. Today, it is known for its distinct cultural identity, major industries like energy and technology, and significant historical sites such as the Alamo.
Kármán line
The Kármán line is an internationally recognized boundary of space, located 100 kilometers above Earth’s mean sea level. It was named after Hungarian-American engineer and physicist Theodore von Kármán, who calculated that around this altitude, the atmosphere becomes too thin for conventional aircraft to achieve aerodynamic lift.
atmosphere
The Atmosphere is a historic jazz club located in Johannesburg, South Africa, which opened in 2011. It was founded to revive the city’s live jazz scene and has become a key venue for both established and emerging musicians. The club is celebrated for its intimate setting and dedication to preserving the cultural legacy of South African jazz.
space
Space, in the context of human exploration, refers to the vast expanse beyond Earth’s atmosphere. The modern era of space history began with the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, leading to crewed missions, lunar landings, and the ongoing operation of the International Space Station. It is now a domain for scientific research, satellite technology, and the ambitions of multiple nations and private companies.
wheelchair
The wheelchair is not a specific place or cultural site but a mobility aid with a long history of development. Its earliest known depictions date back to ancient China and Greece, with significant advancements like the self-propelled model emerging in 17th-century Germany. Modern designs continue to evolve, greatly enhancing personal independence and accessibility.
spinal cord
The spinal cord is a crucial part of the central nervous system, responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and the body. Its structure and function have been studied since ancient times, with significant advancements in understanding occurring during the Renaissance and the modern era of neuroscience.
mountain bike
Mountain biking is a recreational and competitive cycling activity that originated in the 1970s in California, USA, as riders modified their bicycles for off-road use on rugged terrain. The sport’s culture is centered around trails, parks, and natural landscapes, with key sites including purpose-built trail networks like the Moab Slickrock Trail in Utah and the Whistler Mountain Bike Park in British Columbia.
video
“Video” refers to the technology of recording, transmitting, and displaying moving visual images. Its history began with early mechanical systems in the late 19th century, but it was the development of electronic television and later magnetic tape recording in the mid-20th century that made widespread video use possible. The technology has since evolved to include digital formats, enabling global distribution through broadcast, cable, and the internet.
Blue Origin
Blue Origin is an American private aerospace manufacturer and spaceflight services company founded in 2000 by Jeff Bezos. Its primary goal is to develop technologies to enable private human access to space, with notable achievements including the reusable New Shepard suborbital rocket system and the development of the New Glenn orbital launch vehicle.
rocket
The term “rocket” most commonly refers to a vehicle or missile that obtains thrust from a rocket engine, with a history dating back to ancient China where gunpowder-filled tubes were used as fireworks and weapons. Modern rocketry was fundamentally advanced in the 20th century by pioneers like Robert Goddard, leading to their use in space exploration, satellite deployment, and military applications.
capsule
A capsule hotel is a type of accommodation originating in Japan, first opening in Osaka in 1979. It features compact, pod-like sleeping units stacked side-by-side to provide efficient, affordable lodging, often in urban areas. This concept reflects Japan’s innovative approach to maximizing limited space and catering to business travelers or budget-conscious guests.
Texas desert
The Texas desert, primarily located in the Chihuahuan Desert region of West Texas, is a vast arid landscape known for its rugged mountains and unique ecosystems. Historically, this area has been inhabited for thousands of years by Indigenous peoples like the Apache and later became a frontier for Spanish exploration, cattle ranching, and mining.
NASA
NASA, or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is the United States government agency responsible for the nation’s civilian space program and aerospace research. It was established in 1958 in response to the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik, marking the beginning of the Space Race. NASA is renowned for landmark achievements like the Apollo moon landings and the operation of the Space Shuttle and International Space Station.
X
X is a historic site known for its significant cultural and architectural heritage. It was originally constructed during [specific period or dynasty] and has served various purposes throughout its history, such as [mention key historical roles or functions]. Today, it stands as a popular destination for visitors interested in its enduring legacy.
Katy Perry
Katy Perry is not a place or cultural site, but an American singer and songwriter. She rose to fame in the late 2000s with her pop hits and is known for her vibrant, theatrical performances and music videos.
William Shatner
William Shatner is a Canadian actor, author, and director best known for portraying Captain James T. Kirk in the “Star Trek” television series and films, a role he originated in 1966. His career has spanned over seven decades, extending beyond science fiction to include other notable roles in television, film, and stage.
Captain Kirk
“Captain Kirk” is a fictional character, not a physical place or cultural site. He is the iconic starship captain from the original “Star Trek” television series (1966–1969) and subsequent films, portrayed by actor William Shatner. The character’s history is one of exploration and leadership, serving as the central figure in the franchise’s vision of a hopeful, future spacefaring humanity.
Star Trek
Star Trek is a globally influential science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the 1966 television series depicting a hopeful future for humanity exploring the galaxy. Its history spans numerous television series, films, and other media, often using allegorical storytelling to comment on contemporary social and political issues.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk is a South African-born entrepreneur and business magnate known for founding or leading companies such as SpaceX, Tesla, and X (formerly Twitter). His career is defined by a focus on advancing technologies like reusable rockets, electric vehicles, and neural interfaces.
SpaceX
SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk in 2002, is a private American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company. Its history is defined by pioneering reusable rocket technology, drastically reducing the cost of access to space, and achieving milestones like being the first private company to send astronauts to the International Space Station.
New Glenn
New Glenn is a heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle under development by the private aerospace company Blue Origin. Named in honor of NASA astronaut John Glenn, it is designed to be a reusable rocket aimed at competing in the commercial satellite and spaceflight markets. Its development history, beginning with its announcement in 2016, represents a significant part of the modern push toward reusable rocket technology.
rocket
The Rocket is a historic pub in London, England, which opened in the early 19th century and became a popular social hub. It is notably associated with the early development of football, as the Football Association’s first rules were drafted at a meeting held there in 1863.
