On December 20, 2025, German aerospace and mechatronics engineer Michaela Benthaus made history aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard, becoming the first wheelchair user to cross the Karman line – the internationally recognized boundary of space at about 100 kilometers above Earth's surface.
An engineer at the European Space Agency, Benthaus suffered a spinal cord injury in a mountain biking accident and has used a wheelchair ever since. In a video released by Blue Origin, she reflected, "After my accident, I really, really figured out how inaccessible our world still is. If we want to be an inclusive society, we should be inclusive in every part, and not only in the parts we like to be."
The mission lifted off at 8:15 a.m. local time from Blue Origin's West Texas launch site. The fully automated rocket ascended vertically, released its capsule above the Karman line, and returned to the desert floor under parachutes. The entire suborbital flight lasted about ten minutes, offering a few minutes of weightlessness and a view of Earth's curve.
Benthaus's flight marks a milestone not only for space tourism but also for disability advocacy. With over one billion people worldwide living with disabilities, her journey highlights the urgent need for accessible design in extreme environments – from urban infrastructure to the final frontier.
As commercial space companies gear up for more frequent launches, Benthaus's achievement this weekend sends a powerful message: the next generation of space travelers must come from all walks of life. Advocates hope this mission will inspire engineers and policymakers to break down barriers, ensuring that space truly becomes a domain for everyone.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
