Blue Origin Makes History: A Wheelchair User Heads to Space

For the first time in history, a person who uses a wheelchair is set to travel into suborbital space. On what could be a historic Saturday for Blue Origin, Michi Benthaus will board the New Shepard rocket as part of the NS-37 mission. The flight—originally planned for December 18—has now been rescheduled for December 20, just days before the current date. This milestone is more than a technological achievement; it’s a statement about inclusivity in space exploration and the rapid commercialization of what was once the domain of government agencies like NASA. According to reports and as detailed in coverage, this milestone is more than a technological achievement.

A Pioneering Astronaut

Michi Benthaus is not just any passenger. A skilled aerospace engineer and robotics expert with the European Space Agency, she has continued her work in space research since a 2018 mountain biking accident left her using a wheelchair. Her journey to space includes prior participation in zero-gravity flights, but this mission marks her first venture beyond the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space at approximately 62 miles (100 kilometers) above Earth. According to industry reports, her journey to space includes prior participation in zero-gravity flights.

Her participation is a testament to what modern aerospace engineering can achieve in terms of accessibility. Blue Origin has made specific adjustments to the spacecraft to accommodate Benthaus, including a custom-designed launch seat and cabin modifications.

According to Blue Origin's statements, these adjustments are a clear signal that private spaceflight is becoming more adaptable—and more inclusive—than ever before.

Blue Origin’s Role in a New Era of Space Travel

The New Shepard rocket has become synonymous with Blue Origin’s suborbital tourism and research missions. Unlike traditional rocket systems, New Shepard is fully autonomous and designed to take a small crew into space before returning to Earth within about 10 minutes. It has flown more than a dozen crewed missions since 2021, including flights with celebrities, educators, and now, trailblazers like Benthaus. According to Blue Origin's official site, this mission is more than a feel-good story.

What sets this mission apart is the message it sends about the commercialization of space. While government agencies continue to push for lunar and Mars exploration, private companies are now leading the way in making space accessible to a broader audience. Blue Origin’s focus is not just on innovation—it’s about expanding who can participate in space exploration and for what purpose. According to industry analysis, this is a clear message about inclusivity.

Implications for Investors and the Industry

For investors, this mission is more than a feel-good story. It represents a shift in the aerospace industry: private companies are now driving major milestones that were once the exclusive purview of national space programs. Blue Origin is competing with SpaceX and other commercial space ventures to establish itself as a key player in both tourism and scientific exploration.

Blue Origin's recent NASA contract to deliver the VIPER rover to the lunar South Pole using the Blue Moon Mark 1 cargo lander also highlights the company's growing influence. Scheduled for late 2027, the VIPER mission is part of NASA's broader Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, which is shifting toward greater reliability and payload capacity over low-cost experimentation. This is a key differentiator for Blue Origin, which has long emphasized engineering excellence and long-term mission success. According to NASA's official announcement, the contract solidifies Blue Origin's role in the program.

Still, the company has yet to turn a profit and faces stiff competition from SpaceX, which reported $15.5 billion in 2025 revenue. However, the recent success of New Shepard missions and the broader trend toward space tourism suggest that Blue Origin could see growing investor interest as it continues to break new ground.

Looking Beyond This Mission

Benthaus's flight is a symbolic and practical milestone, but it's just one step in a much larger journey. Blue Origin has its eyes set on more ambitious goals, including crewed lunar missions and the development of a space station called Blue Ring. These projects are still years away but indicate that the company is thinking beyond short-term tourism and into the long-term commercialization of space.

At the same time, the company's work with NASA on the VIPER mission shows that it is positioning itself as a reliable partner for critical scientific objectives. If Blue Origin continues to meet its milestones and secure contracts, it could carve out a significant role in the future of space exploration—not just for government agencies, but for private research and development as well. According to space industry analysis and industry reports, this is a key differentiator.

As the countdown continues for the NS-37 mission, the world is watching to see how history will be made. And for investors and space enthusiasts alike, this is just the beginning of what could be a new chapter in space travel—one where the sky is no longer the limit.