Next Blue Origin tourist launch will fly wheelchair user to space for 1st time
Blue Origin's Next Leap: A Wheelchair User Heads to Space for the First Time
In a groundbreaking moment for space tourism, Blue Origin has announced that its next New Shepard launch, NS-37, will carry a wheelchair user to suborbital space for the first time. Michi Benthaus, an aerospace engineer at the European Space Agency, will join five OMG crewmates on this historic flight, marking a significant milestone in the company's mission to make space travel accessible to all.
The NS-37 Crew: A Diverse Group of Space Enthusiasts
The six passengers on Blue Origin's upcoming NS-37 suborbital spaceflight are a diverse group of space enthusiasts, each with their own unique background and motivations. In addition to Michi Benthaus, the crew includes:
- Joey Hyde, an investor who recently retired from a leading hedge fund and holds a Ph.D. in astrophysics.
- Hans Koenigsmann, a German-American aerospace engineer who worked for SpaceX from 2002 until 2021.
- Neal Milch, an entrepreneur and executive who currently chairs the board of trustees at Jackson Laboratory.
- Adonis Pouroulis, a mining engineer, investor, and entrepreneur with a focus on natural resources and the energy sector.
- Jason Stansell, a self-proclaimed space nerd based in West Texas who is dedicating his flight to his brother, Kevin, who passed away in 2016.
The New Shepard Vehicle: A Reusable Rocket-Capsule Combo
The New Shepard vehicle, which will carry the NS-37 crew to suborbital space, is a reusable rocket-capsule combo that has been designed to provide a safe and efficient way to reach the edge of space. Each of these suborbital jaunts lasts just 10 to 12 minutes from liftoff to capsule touchdown but gets above the 62-mile-high (100 kilometers) Kármán Line, the widely regarded boundary of outer space.
A Milestone for Space Tourism
The NS-37 flight will be the 37th flight of the New Shepard vehicle and the 16th crewed flight overall. To date, the vehicle has carried 86 people to and from suborbital space (but just 80 individuals, as six of them have been repeat customers). This milestone represents a significant achievement for Blue Origin, which has been working towards making space travel accessible to all.
The Impact of Space Tourism
The impact of space tourism on the space industry and beyond cannot be overstated. As more people venture into space, the demand for space-related services and infrastructure will increase, driving innovation and growth in the industry. Space tourism also has the potential to inspire a new generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers, paving the way for future breakthroughs in space exploration.
Michi Benthaus: A Trailblazer for Wheelchair Users in Space
Michi Benthaus's participation in the NS-37 flight marks a significant milestone for wheelchair users in space. As an aerospace engineer at the European Space Agency, Benthaus has dedicated her career to scientific collaboration for the advancement of interplanetary exploration. Her passion for space travel has not been deterred by her spinal cord injury, which she suffered in a mountain biking accident in 2018.
The Future of Space Travel
The NS-37 flight represents a significant step towards making space travel more accessible to all. As the space industry continues to evolve, we can expect to see more innovative solutions and technologies emerge, paving the way for a future where space travel is a reality for everyone.
Conclusion
The NS-37 flight is a historic moment for space tourism, marking a significant milestone in the company's mission to make space travel accessible to all. The diverse group of space enthusiasts on board, including Michi Benthaus, represent a new generation of space travelers who are pushing the boundaries of what is possible. As the space industry continues to evolve, we can expect to see more innovative solutions and technologies emerge, paving the way for a future where space travel is a reality for everyone.
