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4d ago

Blue Origin Stands Down NS-37, Postponing Flight Poised to Carry First Wheelchair User to Space

The company halted the mission after automated checks flagged an issue, leaving the accessibility milestone on hold pending a new launch time.

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Michaela Benthaus is pictured inside a New Shepard capsule during training.
Michaela Benthaus, an engineer with the European Space Agency specialising in aerospace and mechatronics, campaigns for accessibility in the field, shaped by a spinal cord injury. (Photo: Instagram/Michaela Benthaus)
The crew of Blue Origin's NS-37 flight includes former hedge fund partner Joey Hyde, former SpaceX executive Hans Koenigsmann, European Space Agency engineer Michaela Benthaus, entrepreneur Adonis Pouroulis, business executive Neal Milch, and local space enthusiast Jason Stansell.

Overview

  • Blue Origin said it scrubbed Thursday’s New Shepard liftoff when built-in preflight checks detected a problem and that it is assessing the next opportunity to launch.
  • A tentative target as soon as Saturday morning CST was cited in subsequent coverage, though the schedule remains unconfirmed and subject to change.
  • The six-person crew includes ESA engineer Michaela (Michi) Benthaus, expected to become the first person who uses a wheelchair to cross the Kármán line, along with Joey Hyde, Hans Koenigsmann, Neal Milch, Adonis Pouroulis, and Jason Stansell.
  • The suborbital New Shepard flight profile lasts about 10–12 minutes, offers a few minutes of microgravity, and returns via parachute to West Texas after surpassing roughly 100 km.
  • NS-37 is slated to be New Shepard’s 37th mission and 16th human flight, building on about 86 passengers previously carried by Blue Origin’s suborbital program.