Blue Origin Launch
This photo provided by Blue Origin shows Michaela Benthaus, a German engineer aiming to become the first wheelchair user in space, talking to crewmate Hans Koenigsmann, a retired SpaceX executive who helped organize and sponsor her flight, on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Blue Origin’s rocket launch site in Van Horn, Texas.
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A paraplegic engineer looking to become the first wheelchair user in space has blasted off on a rocket ride with Blue Origin. Severely injured in a mountain bike accident seven years ago, Michaela Benthaus rocketed away from West Texas on Saturday with Jeff Bezos' company. The German woman shared the planned 10-minute flight with five others, including a retired SpaceX executive who helped organize and finance her trip for an undisclosed amount. Benthaus says she wanted to savor floating in space while beholding Earth from on high and pushing the boundaries for the disabled.
