A planned launch by Blue Origin, carrying engineer Michaela Benthaus, was aborted Thursday evening due to a “problem with the integrated control mechanisms.” Benthaus, originally from Kiel, Germany, is poised to become the first person with a spinal cord injury to travel to space on the NS-37 mission. The rocket was initially scheduled to lift off at 3:30 PM from the Van Horn spaceport in West Texas, but the launch was repeatedly delayed before being canceled around 6:00 PM. A new launch date for Benthaus’s 15-minute flight remains uncertain, with Blue Origin stating via X that they are evaluating future possibilities.
For Greater Accessibility in Space and on Earth
Benthaus, who studied in Linz and Munich, is currently a space engineer with the European Space Agency (ESA) in the Netherlands. She aims to make both Earth and space more accessible for everyone. Her colleague, Hans Königsmann, was also scheduled to be on board the mission.
Benthaus is a strong advocate for increasing accessibility in crewed spaceflight, expressing her desire to experience Earth from above and participate in missions as an astronaut.
Free Movement in Weightlessness
In 2022, Benthaus experienced weightlessness for the first time during a parabolic flight, where an aircraft flies in a steep ascent and descent, creating approximately 20 seconds of zero gravity.
Einerseits habe ich keine Kontrolle über meine Beine. Die machen so ein bisschen, was sie wollen. Aber andererseits ist es auch total cool, sich wieder so frei bewegen zu können.
Michaela Benthaus über die Schwerelosigkeit
Work on the Space Station Requires Special Solutions
However, working in weightlessness presents unique challenges. Basic tasks like showering and using the restroom require adaptation. Astronauts on long-duration missions typically secure themselves to the station using foot restraints, a method unsuitable for Benthaus. She requires alternative stabilization methods that don’t impede her arm movement, necessitating specialized solutions.
Criticism: Space Tourism for the Super-Rich
Blue Origin has not disclosed the cost of a ticket for these suborbital flights. These brief trips to space have drawn criticism due to their environmental impact and are often characterized as space tourism for the wealthy. Benthaus counters this criticism, stating, “I don’t see my flight as a tourist flight because we are already doing science. People always think you have to do an experiment yourself on the flight, but in my case, I am the experiment and we are trying to push things forward and break boundaries.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the launch to be aborted?
The launch of the NS-37 mission was aborted due to a “problem with the integrated control mechanisms,” according to Blue Origin.
Where is Michaela Benthaus from?
Michaela Benthaus is originally from Kiel, Germany.
What is Benthaus’s role in promoting accessibility in space?
Benthaus advocates for making crewed spaceflight more accessible and is herself aiming to become an astronaut with a spinal cord injury.
As Blue Origin assesses the issue and prepares for a potential relaunch, the world watches to see if Benthaus will soon make history as the first person with a spinal cord injury to experience the wonders of space. What impact will this mission have on the future of inclusive space travel?
