A paraplegic engineer from Germany blasted off on a dream-come-true rocket ride with five other passengers on Saturday, leaving her wheelchair behind to float in space while beholding Earth from on high.
Severely injured in a mountain bike accident seven years ago, Michaela Benthaus became the first wheelchair user in space, launching from West Texas with Jeff Bezos’ company Blue Origin.
She was accompanied by a retired SpaceX executive also born in Germany, Hans Koenigsmann, who helped organise and – along with Blue Origin – sponsored her trip. Their ticket prices were not divulged.
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An ecstatic Benthaus said she laughed all the way up – the capsule soared more than 105km (65 miles) – and tried to turn upside down once in space.
“It was the coolest experience,” she said shortly after landing.
The 10-minute space-skimming flight required only minor adjustments to accommodate Benthaus, according to the company.