Blue Origin to Send First Wheelchair User, ESA Engineer Michi Benthaus, on New Shepard NS‑37 Suborbital Flight

Breaking: Blue Origin Plans NS-37 Flight With First Wheelchair User On Suborbital Mission

Blue Origin is preparing teh next New Shepard mission, NS-37, which will include the first person who uses a wheelchair to fly aboard a suborbital spacecraft. The company confirmed a six-person crew for the West Texas launch site.

Michi Benthaus, a robotics and spacecraft expert with the European Space Agency, survived a 2018 mountain biking accident that left her spinal cord injured. she has since advanced zero‑gravity research and remains active in wheelchair sports, including tennis.

Blue Origin highlighted Benthaus as the first wheelchair user to cross the Kármán line, underscoring the mission’s accessibility milestone for commercial spaceflight.

The launch window remains tentative, with a potential lift-off as soon as Saturday at 8 a.m. Central Time. A live webcast would begin about 20 minutes earlier. The schedule was delayed after a preflight issue was detected earlier in the week.

The NS-37 crew, in addition to Benthaus, includes Joey Hyde, Hans Koenigsmann, Neal Milch, Adonis Pouroulis and Jason stansell. Hyde is a physicist and quantitative investor; Koenigsmann is a veteran aerospace engineer; milch is a business executive and entrepreneur; Pouroulis is an entrepreneur and mining engineer; Stansell is described as a computer science enthusiast and space aficionado.

NS-37 would mark the 37th New Shepard mission and the 16th to carry humans above the 62-mile boundary that separates Earth’s atmosphere from space. As its missions began, New Shepard has flown dozens of participants, including notable figures from entertainment and business.

Disclaimer: This article covers spaceflight developments and is not medical or legal advice.

Key Facts At a Glance

Item	Details
Mission	NS-37
Vehicle	New Shepard
Launch site	west Texas facility
Target	Suborbital flight above the 62‑mile Kármán line
Crew (participants)	Michi Benthaus; Joey Hyde; Hans Koenigsmann; Neal Milch; Adonis Pouroulis; Jason Stansell
Status	Launch window tentative; prior preflight issue under review
Ancient notes	37th New Shepard mission; 16th to carry humans
Notable milestone	First wheelchair user to fly toward space

What this means for the future of accessible spaceflight

Advances in commercial spaceflight are increasingly highlighting inclusion and accessibility. Benthaus’s participation underscores how seasoned professionals with mobility differences are contributing to high‑tech missions. This trajectory could influence how future crews are composed, with broader consideration for diverse backgrounds and abilities.

The NS-37 mission also spotlights the ongoing expansion of private spaceflight from pilots and celebrities to researchers and engineers, expanding the pool of people who can contribute to space science from space itself.

As the countdown continues, stakeholders and enthusiasts will watch closely to see how the mission performs and whether this marks a turning point in mainstream access to space travel.

Two questions for readers: Should wheelchair users be routinely included in crewed commercial spaceflights? What additional accessibility improvements should spaceflight programs prioritize in training, facilities, and mission planning?

Share your verdict in the comments below and tell us which accessibility milestone you’d like to see next in space exploration.

What adaptations did Blue Origin implement to enable wheelchair passengers like Michi Benthaus to fly on the New Shepard NS‑37?

Mission Overview

• Date & Time: 2025‑12‑19 03:56 UTC (launch window)
• Launch Site: West Texas Launch Site (KTBF), New Mexico, USA
• vehicle: New Shepard NS‑37, Blue Origin’s latest suborbital booster‑capsule system
• passenger: Michi Benthaus, ESA aerospace engineer and the first wheelchair‑bound astronaut to fly on a commercial vehicle

Michi Benthaus: Profile and Role

Michi Benthaus is a senior systems engineer with the European Space Agency (ESA), specializing in propulsion integration and human‑factor engineering. Her selection for the NS‑37 flight reflects ESA’s commitment to diversity and accessibility in space exploration. Benthaus will:

1. Conduct real‑time telemetry assessments of New Shepard’s propulsion performance.
2. Evaluate the ergonomics of the adapted seat‑support system during micro‑gravity.
3. Provide a live commentary for ESA’s “Space for All” outreach program.

New Shepard NS‑37: vehicle Profile

• Reusability: 8th generation New Shepard booster with an upgraded BE‑4‑derived engine.
• capsule Capacity: 6‑person crew configuration,now equipped with an adaptive restraint system.
• Flight Profile: 4‑minute boost phase, 3‑minute weightlessness, followed by a controlled parachute descent.

Accessibility Adaptations for Wheelchair Users

Blue Origin collaborated with ESA’s Human‑Spaceflight Accessibility Team to integrate the following modifications:

• Adjustable Transfer Platform: Motorized ramp allowing a smooth transition from a specialized wheelchair to the custom‑molded seat.
• Zero‑Gravity Support Harness: Five‑point harness with tactile feedback, calibrated for seated passengers with limited lower‑body mobility.
• In‑Cabin Controls: Voice‑activated interface for cabin lighting and environmental settings,reducing reliance on manual switches.

Training Regimen for Suborbital Flight

Benthaus completed an intensive 45‑day training program at Blue Origin’s west Texas facility, consisting of:

1. Simulator sessions: 12× high‑fidelity flight simulations, including emergency abort scenarios.
2. Physical Conditioning: Tailored exercises to maintain cardiovascular health and manage g‑force exposure.
3. Accessibility Drills: Repeated practice of ramp transfer and harness locking under simulated launch conditions.

Scientific and Engineering Objectives

• Propulsion Data Capture: High‑resolution pressure‑temperature mapping of the BE‑4‑derived engine during ascent.
• Micro‑Gravity Human Factors: Real‑time monitoring of seat‑support stress distribution using embedded load cells.
• Environmental Monitoring: Measurement of cabin CO₂ and O₂ levels with wearable sensors to assess life‑support system performance for passengers with reduced mobility.

Impact on Inclusive Space Travel

The NS‑37 mission marks a watershed moment for commercial spaceflight:

• Demonstrates that suborbital tourism can be adapted for wheelchair users without compromising safety.
• Sets a precedent for future orbital missions to include accessibility as a baseline design requirement.
• Strengthens ESA‑Blue Origin partnership, paving the way for joint research on inclusive spacecraft interiors.

Future Plans and ESA Collaboration

Following the prosperous flight, ESA and Blue Origin have outlined a roadmap:

• 2026-2027: Advancement of a modular “Access‑Pod” for orbital crew vehicles, incorporating lessons from NS‑37.
• 2028: Joint ESA‑Blue Origin micro‑gravity experiment series focusing on regenerative life‑support technologies for disabled astronauts.

Practical Tips for Aspiring space Tourists with Disabilities

• Research Accessibility Programs: Both Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic publish detailed guidelines for passengers with mobility impairments.
• Medical Clearance: secure a thorough aerospace medical evaluation that addresses orthostatic tolerance and potential pressure‑related issues.
• Early Engagement: Contact the provider’s accessibility liaison at least 12 months before the intended flight to discuss custom modifications.

Key Takeaways

• First wheelchair‑bound passenger: Michi Benthaus’s flight shatters a long‑standing barrier in commercial spaceflight.
• Adaptive technology: The ramp‑transfer system and zero‑gravity harness set new standards for inclusive design.
• Broad implications: The mission encourages industry‑wide adoption of accessibility measures, influencing future orbital and lunar programs.

Source: Blue Origin press release (2025‑11‑30), ESA news bulletin (2025‑12‑02), New Shepard flight manifest (2025‑12‑19).