Michaela Benthaus

Michaela Benthaus, a German aerospace engineer, is known for her significant contributions to the field. She made history by being the first wheelchair user to travel to space. Benthaus's journey into the cosmos began in 2022 when she participated in the parabolic airplane flight, "Vomit Comet," that offers a brief experience of near-weightlessness. This was only the beginning of her unique journey as she took part in a two-week simulated astronaut mission in Poland in 2024.

In 2025, Benthaus's career took an exciting turn when she joined the sub-orbital spaceflight "Blue Origin NS-37" as one of the six crew members. The spaceflight, which took place on December 20, 2025, was financed by Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin and launched from West Texas. This event marked a significant chapter in Benthaus's career and her influence in the field of aerospace engineering.

Beyond her professional achievements, Benthaus is an advocate for the equal rights and inclusion of individuals with physical disabilities. She believes in creating more initiatives to provide opportunities for disabled individuals to excel in their preferred domains. The spaceflight event she participated in also served a philanthropic cause, as it raised funds for "Wings for Life," a nonprofit organization dedicated to spinal cord injury research.