A Weightless Stephen Hawking
You may be interested to know that one of the greatest physicists of all time may no longer be with us here on earth. No he has not passed on, but in fact may be traveling into space. Stephen Hawking, who is internationally known for his brilliance, has begun talks about a possible trip to outer space in or around the year 2009.
This idea first hit the service around last November, when during an interview, Hawking mentioned that one of the things he would like to do before he dies is travel into outer space. The company that is willing to help him take on this venture is Virgin Galactic, which is planning on offering suborbital space tours in 2009.
Before Professor Hawking becomes an astronaut, he plans on taking a zero gravity flight towards the end of April. He will be doing so with Zero Gravity Corp., which provides these zero gravity flights for a small fee of about $3,750. Although Hawking will not have to worry about his bill, because Zero Gravity is picking up the tab. Zero Gravity Corp. will also be auctioning off the other seats on this flight to help out different charities such as Easter Seals and the X Prize Foundation.
Hawking seems to be very excited about this trip into space and more so about the fast approaching zero gravity experience. In a written statement released Thursday, Hawking said, “As someone who has studied gravity and black holes all of my life, I am excited to experience, firsthand, weightlessness and a zero-gravity environment. “
For this flight, a modified Boeing 727-200 jet will take off at Kennedy Space Center and will travel up to 32,000 feet and then sharply drop 8,000 feet. It is during this descent that passengers can feel up to 25 seconds of zero gravity. The flight does this up to 10 times, depending on the reactions of the passengers.
Of course one of the main concerns with these flights is the health of the passengers. Hawking who is stricken to a wheelchair do to his battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease, will be the first quadriplegic to experience weightlessness. This is not only a big deal in the science community, but in the community of those who are disabled as well. Zero Gravity Corp. said they hope that Mr. Hawking can experience at least three periods of zero gravity, but if he can handle more then he will get more. In order for this to happen he will be strapped into his wheel chair until they are about to reach zero gravity, at which a team of people will lift Hawking into the no gravity zone.
Stephen Hawking is very proud to be a part of this experience. Judging by what he said on Thursday he is very grateful: "I am thankful to Zero Gravity Corp. for making this experience available to the general public, especially for disabled individuals.” I am interested to see how this adventure turns out for Mr. Hawking and hopefully it will propel him towards his goal of space travel.
posted by PWH @ 8:44 PM
13 comments
13 Comments:
I think this story is very interesting. Do you know if they will have to do anything special for him since he is in a wheelchair? It must be tough for him to go through training being in a wheelchair and all. I respect him for his decision and I am glad they are allowing him to go into space.
This is very interesting. Seeing as he studied this sort of thing, he should be very excited to go. Why did they decide to pick up his tab for the zero gravity flight? Doesn't he have enough money to pay for it himself? Also, is there anything special they are going to need to do since he is in a wheelchair?
As stated in the article, this is important for both the scientific and disabled community. It will be interesting to see how Stephen Hawking's body holds up to the zero gravity. It is nice to know how accomadating this company is being to Stephen Hawkings, just because of the fact that he is disabled. They want to see him experience it, and live one of his dreams. I wonder if being disabled will impair some of his abilties to feel weightlessness. This will be interesting to find out.
I think this is an excellent idea. He has contributed so much to the science (specifically physics) community. My only question is whether Hawking can physically handle the Virgin Galactic flight. It's awesome to see that this experience wont cost him a thing, especially someone who has contributed so much to the world. This also shows how close a public space experience is!
I find it funny that Hawking has never been to space even though he is one of the top minds on the subject. I have always looked up to him for his battle with disease and the fact that he is probably the smartest man in the world. I can't wait to see what he has to say after this adventure of his is complete.
This is fascinating. It's great to see someone with a disability completing more than what the average person accomplishes. Mr. Hawking is an inspiration to a diverse majority of the population.
The idea of Stephen Hawking going into space makes me smile. Kudos to Richard Branson of Virgin Galactic and the staff of Zero Gravity for making this possible. It reaffirms my faith in human nature when things like this happen. If Hawking's disability proves not to be an impediment to space travel, this event will truly be an inspiration to us all! Great post...in the wake of war updates, global warming warnings and pop culture minutiae, it is tres cool to read about something that brings out the best in human beings.
Catherine S.
course participant
I think Mr. Hawking deserved to have this opportunity to feel how it is like in a zero gravity zone, since he has contributed so much to science. Also I am interested the trip to outer space in 2009 that he mentioned. I wander what will we discovered!
Biology 101
Username:cheangk6
student ID: 21555595
What an great article! To be honest I never would have thought that Stephen Hawking could go into a weightless environment, due to his condition. I myself have always wanted to experience zero gravity, and I think its great that a man of Stephen Hawking's status, and intellectual prowess is able to finally experience something that he has studied and tried to understand for nearly his entire life. Again, great article.
David Cox.
I had not heard that Hawking planned to travel into space until I read this blog. This blog was interesting and efficient. I am curious to see how Hawking's zero gravity and space experiences will further inspire him and his studies.
Very interesting article. I had no idea he wanted to go to space. I wonder how he'll fare with all the tests someone has to do before they can go into space. Doesn't seem like he'd make it. I also wonder why they are picking up his tab.
This is a very moving story. It's great that our civilization is starting to cater to the less fortunate. Mr. Hawking is true pioneer and will help pave the way for people with disabilities. Perhaps you should give some more insight into how one can go about getting into the space orbit, maybe a website? Also, i'd assume there is a waitlist for this crazy space thing, is that the case??
id: starbuc6
It is amazing how much technology has advance in the past few decades. Soon people will be able to travel to outer space in exchange of money. People like Stephen Hawkings will be able to experience something that only trained astronauts have been able to experience; to feel weightless. I wonder whether his condition will be of any disadvantage when it comes to feeling weightless. I hope one regular people like him and I will be given the change to fly outer space.
Daniel A. Fortin
fortind6
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