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science1d ago
Blue Origin’s Next Mission Is Helping Redefine Who Gets to Go to Space
- Blue Origin's NS-37 will carry Michaela Benthaus, the first wheelchair user on a Blue Origin flight, signaling progress for disability access in space.
- NS-37 is scheduled to launch no earlier than December 18 from Launch Site One in West Texas.
- Benthaus will be joined by five other civilian astronauts on a 10–12 minute New Shepard flight with brief weightlessness.
- AstroAccess has been instrumental in researching accessibility for spaceflight and Benthaus serves as its ambassador.
- The mission continues a broader push to diversify who can become astronauts beyond traditional athletes.
- Deaf and hard of hearing AstroAccess ambassadors trained for New Shepard missions earlier this year as part of inclusion efforts.
- Benthaus expressed excitement about space travel for people with disabilities and its potential to shift industry perspectives.
- The mission underscores ongoing efforts to address human factors and design throughout spacecraft environments.
- Benthaus will be accompanied by Hans Koenigsmann, Joey Hyde, Neal Milch, Adonis Pouroulis, and Jason Stansell on NS-37.
- The NS-37 flight emphasizes livestreaming for public engagement ahead of liftoff.
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