美飞行器成功发射 搭载“轮椅使用者”进入太空
Xin Hua She·2025-12-20 15:50

Core Viewpoint - Blue Origin's "New Shepard" spacecraft successfully completed its 37th space flight, marking a significant milestone in commercial space travel and inclusivity by carrying the first wheelchair user to space [1][2] Group 1: Flight Details - The "New Shepard" spacecraft launched on December 20, 2023, at 8:16 AM Central Time, reaching an altitude of approximately 100 kilometers before returning to Earth [1] - The entire flight lasted about 10 minutes, during which the spacecraft autonomously flew for several minutes after separating from the launch vehicle [1] Group 2: Passenger Information - Among the six passengers on this flight, 33-year-old Michaela Benthaus was the only female and the first wheelchair user to travel to space, having become paralyzed from a mountain biking accident in 2018 [1] - Benthaus is currently an engineer with the European Space Agency [1] Group 3: Company Background - Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, is known for its reusable rocket and spacecraft system, "New Shepard," which is designed for both scientific payloads and space tourism [2] - The "New Shepard" can reach altitudes of approximately 107 kilometers, surpassing the Kármán line, which is recognized as the boundary between Earth's atmosphere and outer space [2]