Blue Origin launches its NS-37 mission today with a historic crew. Michaela Benthaus, an aerospace engineer, becomes the first wheelchair user to reach space. Joining her is Hans Koenigsmann, a legendary former SpaceX engineer who spent 2 decades building reusable rockets.
🔥 Quick Facts
- First wheelchair user in space: Michaela Benthaus, ESA aerospace engineer, makes history today
- Ex-SpaceX veteran aboard: Hans Koenigsmann, 2-decade SpaceX veteran, joins the 6-person crew
- Launch window: 10:00 AM CST / 4:00 PM UTC from Launch Site One in West Texas
- Mission duration: 11-minute suborbital flight crossing the Kármán line at 62 miles altitude
Making History: The First Wheelchair User in Space
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Today marks a pivotal moment in spaceflight accessibility. Michaela “Michi” Benthaus, a German-born aerospace and mechatronics engineer at the European Space Agency, will become the first person using a wheelchair to reach space. In 2018, Benthaus suffered a spinal cord injury from a mountain biking accident but refused to abandon her passion for space exploration.
“I have dedicated my career to scientific collaboration for advancing interplanetary exploration,” Benthaus has stated. She previously completed a Zero-G research flight in 2022 and finished an analog astronaut mission. Today’s flight fulfills a lifelong dream while breaking barriers for people with disabilities in space access.
The Legendary SpaceX Veteran Joining NS-37
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Hans Koenigsmann represents two decades of rocket innovation. As an early SpaceX team member, Koenigsmann helped pioneer reusable spacecraft and launch vehicle technology that transformed the industry. The German-American aerospace engineer is widely recognized as one of the world’s most renowned rocket scientists.
“I remain actively engaged in the aerospace community through advisory and board roles,” Koenigsmann brings this expertise to Blue Origin’s mission. Beyond engineering, he’s a licensed pilot who built his own airplane and an avid skier. His participation signals strong industry collaboration between major space companies.
| Crew Member | Background |
| Michaela Benthaus | Aerospace Engineer, ESA – First wheelchair user in space |
| Hans Koenigsmann | Former SpaceX Engineer – 20+ years aerospace experience |
| Joey Hyde | Physicist & Quantitative Investor – Ph.D. Astrophysics |
| Neal Milch | Business Executive & Philanthropist – Jackson Laboratory Board Chair |
| Adonis Pouroulis | Mining Engineer & Entrepreneur – 30+ years resources sector |
| Jason Stansell | Computer Scientist – West Texas space industry advocate |
Breaking Barriers: Why This Mission Transforms Space Access
This launch challenges perceptions about who belongs in space. Blue Origin’s decision to include Benthaus signals a commitment to expanding opportunities beyond traditional astronaut definitions. The company has flown 86 people above the Kármán line since 2021, and today adds another layer of inclusion.
Benthaus carrying her plush hippo—which comforted her after her hospital recovery—adds symbolic weight. The NS-37 mission patch itself features imagery representing each crew member’s identity and values, with shards symbolizing “breaking down barriers to accessing space, including cost, nationality, and ability.”
The Crew’s Diverse Backgrounds and Dreams
Joey Hyde, a physicist and quantitative investor, watched Space Shuttle Atlantis launch in 1988 as a child—sparking his astrophysics journey. Neal Milch grew up inspired by the Gemini and Apollo programs and now chairs the board of a biomedical research institute. Adonis Pouroulis, a mining engineer with 30+ years in the energy sector, pursues a lifelong dream to see Earth from space.
Jason Stansell, a self-proclaimed space nerd from West Texas, dedicates his flight to his brother Kevin’s memory. Each crew member represents a unique perspective—from business to science to engineering—reminding us that space exploration transcends traditional boundaries.
What Happens When the Rocket Launches Today at 10 AM?
The 11-minute journey will carry all six astronauts to 62 miles altitude, crossing the internationally recognized Kármán line boundary of space. Passengers experience several minutes of weightlessness while viewing Earth against the blackness of space. The entire mission—from liftoff to parachute landing—completes in just 11 minutes.
Live coverage begins 40 minutes before launch on BlueOrigin.com. Weather monitoring continues for upper-level winds in West Texas, but current forecasts show favorable conditions. This mission represents Blue Origin’s 16th human flight and the 37th New Shepard mission overall, continuing the company’s momentum in commercial spaceflight.
Sources
- Blue Origin Official – NS-37 mission announcement and crew bios
- CNN – Ex-SpaceX executive coverage and crew details
- ABC News – First wheelchair user spaceflight milestone
Patrick Graham is a business and finance journalist translating Wall Street’s complexities into stories that matter to everyday readers. With extensive experience in financial journalism and economic analysis, this expert journalist provides sharp insights on market trends, corporate developments, and the economic forces affecting daily life. His reporting helps readers make sense of the business world’s biggest moves.