Blue Origin is targeting Dec. 18 for NS-37, a short suborbital New Shepard flight that would carry six people from its West Texas site. The crew includes Michaela (Michi) Benthaus of the European Space Agency, who would become the first wheelchair user to travel to space if the flight proceeds as planned. The launch window opens at 9:30 a.m. EST (1430 GMT; 8:30 a.m. local time), and Blue Origin will stream the event live starting about 40 minutes before liftoff. New Shepard missions last roughly 10–12 minutes and provide a few minutes of weightlessness and a view of Earth from space.
Blue Origin Sets Dec. 18 For NS-37 — Michaela “Michi” Benthaus Could Be First Wheelchair User In Space
Blue Origin's New Shepard vehicle launches on the NS-34 mission on Aug. 3, 2025, carrying six people to suborbital space. | Credit: Blue Origin
Blue Origin on Dec. 11 announced it is targeting Dec. 18 for the NS-37 mission, a short suborbital flight that would carry six people on a New Shepard vehicle from the company's West Texas launch site.
Mission Overview
NS-37, the 37th flight of Blue Origin's reusable New Shepard system, is scheduled to lift off during a launch window that opens at 9:30 a.m. EST (1430 GMT; 8:30 a.m. local time). The company plans to stream the launch live starting roughly 40 minutes before liftoff. New Shepard flights typically last about 10–12 minutes from liftoff to capsule touchdown, delivering a few minutes of weightlessness and a view of Earth against the black of space.
The six passengers on Blue Origin's upcoming NS-37 suborbital spaceflight. | Credit: Blue Origin
Crew And Historic Milestone
Among the six passengers is Michaela (Michi) Benthaus, an aerospace engineer at the European Space Agency who has used a wheelchair since a 2018 mountain-biking accident that caused a spinal cord injury. If the flight proceeds as planned, Benthaus would become the first wheelchair user to travel to space, marking a notable step for accessibility and inclusion in human spaceflight.
The full NS-37 crew includes:
The patch for Blue Origin's NS-37 suborbital tourism mission. | Credit: Blue Origin
- Michaela (Michi) Benthaus (European Space Agency)
- Joey Hyde (investor, astrophysics researcher)
- Hans Koenigsmann (aerospace engineer; early SpaceX employee and former VP of Build and Flight Reliability)
- Neal Milch (entrepreneur)
- Adonis Pouroulis (investor)
- Jason Stansell (self-described "space nerd")
About New Shepard
New Shepard is a fully reusable suborbital system composed of a crew capsule and a booster rocket. The vehicle is designed for autonomous flights that give passengers a short period of microgravity and a broad view of Earth before returning safely to the ground.
Mission Patch And Symbolism
Blue Origin also released the NS-37 mission patch and provided explanations for its symbols. According to the company:
- DNA Strand: Represents the importance of science to Neal Milch.
- Hippo: Benthaus' favorite animal; a plush hippo that comforted her after her accident will accompany her on the flight. A tennis ball symbolizes another of her competitive interests.
- Baobab Tree: Honors Adonis Pouroulis' South African roots.
- Spiral Galaxy: Reflects Joey Hyde's astrophysics research.
- Dog-Bone Shape, Stars, and "K": Refer to the number 201 and include the letter "K" in memory of Jason Stansell's brother.
- Shards: Symbolize Blue Origin's stated commitment to breaking down barriers to access — including cost, nationality and ability.
Why It Matters
The NS-37 flight combines routine suborbital tourism goals with a milestone in accessibility: carrying a wheelchair user and celebrating crew members' personal stories on the mission patch. The flight highlights both the growing commercial space sector and ongoing conversations about making space travel more inclusive.
Note: Launch dates and windows are always subject to change for technical, weather, or safety reasons. Blue Origin will confirm final timing and stream details ahead of the attempt.
