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First Wheelchair User Travels to Space: A Milestone in Inclusivity

12/22/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Michaela Benthaus, an aerospace engineer, became the first wheelchair user to travel to space on December 20, 2025, aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard.
The 33-year-old, who sustained a spinal cord injury in 2018, experienced weightlessness during the roughly 10-minute flight.
Benthaus emphasized inclusivity in space travel.
The mission, with five other passengers, marked a milestone in accessible space travel.

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Story summary

Michaela Benthaus, an aerospace engineer, became the first wheelchair user to travel to space on December 20, 2025, aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard.
The 33-year-old, who sustained a spinal cord injury in 2018, experienced weightlessness during the roughly 10-minute flight.
Benthaus emphasized inclusivity in space travel.
The mission, with five other passengers, marked a milestone in accessible space travel.