美飞行器成功发射,搭载“轮椅使用者”进入太空
Xin Lang Cai Jing·2025-12-20 17:01

Core Viewpoint - Blue Origin's "New Shepard" spacecraft successfully completed its 37th space flight, marking a significant milestone in commercial space travel by including a paraplegic woman as the first wheelchair user to reach space [1]. Group 1: Flight Details - The "New Shepard" spacecraft launched from a site in West Texas at 8:16 AM Central Time on the 20th, reaching an altitude of approximately 100 kilometers before separating from the rocket and autonomously flying for several minutes before landing [1]. - The entire flight duration was about 10 minutes, showcasing the spacecraft's capability for suborbital travel [1]. Group 2: Passenger Information - Among the six passengers on this flight, 33-year-old Michaela Benthaus was the only female, who became the first wheelchair user to enter space after being paralyzed from a mountain biking accident in 2018 [1]. - Benthaus is currently an engineer with the European Space Agency, highlighting the increasing inclusivity in space travel [1]. Group 3: Company Background - Blue Origin, founded by Amazon's Jeff Bezos, operates the "New Shepard" as a reusable rocket and spacecraft system designed for both scientific payloads and space tourism [1]. - The spacecraft can reach heights of approximately 107 kilometers, surpassing the Kármán line, which is recognized as the boundary between Earth's atmosphere and outer space [1].