Professor Stephen Hawking is one of the world's most renowned physicists, and his work The large scale structure of space-time from 1973 revolutionized everything we know about the Universe.
Today, Stephen Hawking was interviewed on the British TV Show "Good Morning Britain".
He said that he had been offered a flight to space with Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic, and "said yes immediately".
Sir Richard Branson, British billionaire and Entrepreneur, had founded the company Virgin Galactic in 2004 as a subsidiary company of the virgin group.
His aim was to offer commercial, suborbital flights to space for "space tourists".
In 2015, Sir Richard Branson had already stated that he would love to take Stephen Hawking on a flight to space, 'if his health permits it.'
"Professor Stephen Hawking is one of the people I admire most in the world, an undisputed genius who has opened our eyes to the wonders of the universe, while also happening to be a kind and delightful man. He is the only person I have given a free ticket with Virgin Galactic, and he is signed up to fly as a Future Astronaut with us if his health permits it."-Sir Richard Branson for Virgin Galactic
Hawking was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a motor neuron disease) at the age of 21.
The doctors then only promised him 2 more years to live - yet here he is, age 75 in 2017!
He has devoted his life to physics and space science, so there's hardly anyone more deserving than him to travel to space himself.
Obviously it will be a challenge to take someone with such a medical condition to space, but it will also be a unique opportunity for scientists to study the effects of zero gravity on ALS patients.
"I thought no-one would take me but Richard Branson has offered me a seat on Virgin Galactic, and I said yes immediately. (...) Three children have brought me great joy - and I can tell you what will make me happy, to travel in space"-Stephen Hawking
The SpaceShipTwo by Virgin Galactic is a commercial spacecraft that can carry 6 passengers and 2 pilots to space.
The vehicle won't go into orbit, but it still counts as "space" so the passengers will be granted official astronaut status.
Stephen Hawking has been a long-time support of commercial space flights and Virgin Galactic, and said that he "respects them for enabling more of humanity to experience the true wonder of space.”.
In the Interview on Good Morning Britain he also talked about the coming Brexit, of which he had originally been an opponent.
He stated that "leaving Europe threatens Britain's status as a world leader in science and innovation."
Hawking also talked about Donald Trump's new presidency, and that he "fears he may not be welcome" in Trump's America.
Watch the full Interview here:
Images: 1, 2, 3, Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4
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© Sirwinchester
As a parallel to the main news that is great, I would like to comment on another piece of information you provided. The Brexit has triggered the application of many non-UK researchers working in the UK into the other European countries. About 20% of this year's senior applicants in particle physics in France are actually coming from the UK. The main reason is that this may prevent the UK people from applying to EU funding, which may makes their life hard (as the UK support cannot compensate the EU support).
Interesting, thanks for your input. I think the Brexit will have so many effects, on an economic and social level, that we can't even imagine right now.
I totally agree with you! Only the future will tell, but the pre-brexit effects (taking next week the starting date) are already gigantic.
He deserves it! One of the smartest & purest Human beings to ever walk the earth.
Upvoted & followed! :)
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Thank you! Appreciate it!
Great post, it is truly an admirable gesture from Richard Branson to grant Stephen Hawking an opportunity that was unthinkable by others.
Yes, I think so too. He devoted his whole life to science and researching space, while thinking he'd never be able to become an astronaut.
I do give Mr Stephen Hawking alot of respect I hope he gets to do this good on him upvoted.
Very cool ! I really hope his health holds up to the day they lift off ! How amazing it would be , thanks for shareing !👍😉
Totally agreed. He has researched so much about space while being certain that he would never be able to travel there himself. And now he gets this unique chance! He deserves it.
You bet ! I really hope he makes it !👍😉
Yes indeed. If anyone deserves it, it is Hawking.
space will make him feel like superman, i want to be the only one on mars! lol
Yes its very cool hes brillient and definitly deserves it !!
I dunno. What's the point?
I decided to read a little more about it, so I went to their website.
It would seem that it's just a glorified and dangerous thrill ride for very wealthy people.
I'm sure that there is much more behind the scenes for the future of space travel, but ...
heavy sigh
Is my Astronaut Envy showing?
I guess he could be a test subject ?
Like a monkey?
It will definitely be a unique chance for scientists to study the effects of space travel with ALS patients!
Is this really such a good idea given the medical requirements of today's astronauts.
I'm sure they will do everything they can do offer him the best possible conditions. Plus, the spaceship is not going into orbit and the journey will only take a few hours, so it will be much less intense than the "average" astronaut experience
bella idea mi piacerebbe anche a me fare un viaggio nello spazio
Awesome post. I think this is wonderful for him to go into space.
Two of the most famous people in one article! Thanks for charing this blog with the community.
This is very good, when the rich people are engaged in the support of talent.
Fun news! Wouldn't know about it without Steemit! Thanks!