Blue Origin Launch

This image provided by Blue Origin shows Blue Origin rocket lifts off on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 in West Texas.

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Paraplegic engineer becomes the first wheelchair user to blast into space

Paraplegic engineer becomes the first wheelchair user to blast into space

A paraplegic engineer has become the first wheelchair user in space, blasting off 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 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.