SAN ANTONIO — A German engineer has become the world’s first wheelchair user to travel into space, achieving a historic milestone aboard a Blue Origin suborbital flight launched from Texas.

Michaela Benthaus, who sustained a spinal cord injury in a mountain biking accident seven years ago, flew Saturday on a 10-minute mission operated by Blue Origin, the space tourism company founded by Jeff Bezos.

The flight carried Benthaus and five other passengers just beyond the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space.

“It was the coolest experience,” Benthaus said after landing in a video released by the company. She said she especially enjoyed the ascent and the sensation of microgravity.

The New Shepard rocket lifted off at 14:15 GMT from Blue Origin’s launch site in Texas. Benthaus, who works at the European Space Agency, transferred independently from her wheelchair into the capsule using a bench extending from the hatch.

Blue Origin said additional ground support equipment was installed to ensure accessibility.

Benthaus said her journey began after she contacted a retired space engineer online to ask whether becoming an astronaut was still possible for someone with a disability.

That outreach led to assistance from Hans Koenigsmann, a former SpaceX executive, who joined the flight and was seated nearby to help if needed.

“She inspired me to help make this happen,” Koenigsmann said in comments shared by Blue Origin.

Company officials said the mission underscores efforts to expand access to space.

“This flight demonstrates that space is for everyone,” said Phil Joyce, senior vice president of New Shepard.

The cost of the mission was not disclosed. It marked Blue Origin’s 16th human suborbital flight as private companies continue competing in the growing space tourism market. — Agencies