Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April

chonsigirl · 03-03-2007, 02:20 PM

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17156385/

British physicist Stephen Hawking, who is world-famous for his intellectual prowess as well as his physical frailty, has made a firm date with weightlessness on April 26, aboard a jet flying out of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Hawking's excellent adventure, provided by California-based Zero Gravity Corp., would represent one small step toward the 65-year-old scientist's goal of flying in space as early as 2009 — as well as one giant leap for people with disabilities.

"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," Hawking said Thursday in a written statement released by Zero Gravity. "I am thankful to Zero Gravity Corp. for making this experience available to the general public, especially for disabled individuals."

Marie5656 · 03-03-2007, 02:45 PM

I am interested in this. I am amazed he is still around with the ALS and all. Good for him.

AussiePam · 03-03-2007, 02:55 PM

I wonder if putting a brain like his in weightlessness will have any effect on how he thinks. I guess we'll find out. Awesome, Chonsi!!!

Marie5656 · 03-03-2007, 03:03 PM

I agree with what he said about being a great concept for a person with a disability. Just think to be free of the confines of your disability..to a point at least.

AussiePam · 03-03-2007, 03:32 PM

I've watched disabled people skiing, Marie, and thought the same.

Marie5656 · 03-03-2007, 03:36 PM

Sometimes we forget how the simple things affect them. A week or so ago, I had to transport Kim home in my car as the lift on her van had broke down...and we had to bring it to the shop overnight. Anyway, she said she loves the infrequent times she can just ride in a car like normal..rather than in her chair.

chonsigirl · 03-03-2007, 03:40 PM

Oh, things we take for granted, to them are a great experience.

I wish my husband would like to go places, I think going out more would be good for him.

foofoo stripper · 03-03-2007, 04:00 PM

I think this is so great!

Galbally · 03-04-2007, 05:51 AM

Its great, he is a great scientific popularizer, a good physicist, and an amazing man for having overcome his own personal difficulties. He really should have died from ALS years ago, but thankfully he has proven to be a great survivor, and science has benefited hugely from his ability to engage the general public on his work. I hope he has a great time! Cool.

koan · 03-04-2007, 06:55 AM

I'd like to read a book written by Hawking on acid.

03-03-2007, 02:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
chonsigirl I think, therefore I post Supporting Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Nirvana Posts: 28,697	Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17156385/ British physicist Stephen Hawking, who is world-famous for his intellectual prowess as well as his physical frailty, has made a firm date with weightlessness on April 26, aboard a jet flying out of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Hawking's excellent adventure, provided by California-based Zero Gravity Corp., would represent one small step toward the 65-year-old scientist's goal of flying in space as early as 2009 — as well as one giant leap for people with disabilities. "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," Hawking said Thursday in a written statement released by Zero Gravity. "I am thankful to Zero Gravity Corp. for making this experience available to the general public, especially for disabled individuals."
Local Time: 06:51 PM Local Date: 12-03-2008

03-03-2007, 02:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
Marie5656 What? Me worry? Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 6,694	Re: Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April I am interested in this. I am amazed he is still around with the ALS and all. Good for him. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Local Time: 06:51 PM Local Date: 12-03-2008

03-03-2007, 02:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
AussiePam Senior Member Supporting Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 6,951	Re: Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April I wonder if putting a brain like his in weightlessness will have any effect on how he thinks. I guess we'll find out. Awesome, Chonsi!!!
Local Time: 10:51 AM Local Date: 12-04-2008

03-03-2007, 03:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
Marie5656 What? Me worry? Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 6,694	Re: Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April I agree with what he said about being a great concept for a person with a disability. Just think to be free of the confines of your disability..to a point at least. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Local Time: 06:51 PM Local Date: 12-03-2008

03-03-2007, 03:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
AussiePam Senior Member Supporting Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 6,951	Re: Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April I've watched disabled people skiing, Marie, and thought the same.
Local Time: 10:51 AM Local Date: 12-04-2008

03-03-2007, 03:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
Marie5656 What? Me worry? Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 6,694	Re: Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April Sometimes we forget how the simple things affect them. A week or so ago, I had to transport Kim home in my car as the lift on her van had broke down...and we had to bring it to the shop overnight. Anyway, she said she loves the infrequent times she can just ride in a car like normal..rather than in her chair. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Local Time: 06:51 PM Local Date: 12-03-2008

03-03-2007, 03:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
chonsigirl I think, therefore I post Supporting Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Nirvana Posts: 28,697	Re: Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April Oh, things we take for granted, to them are a great experience. I wish my husband would like to go places, I think going out more would be good for him.
Local Time: 06:51 PM Local Date: 12-03-2008

03-03-2007, 04:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
foofoo stripper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ct. Posts: 249	Re: Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April I think this is so great!
Local Time: 06:51 PM Local Date: 12-03-2008

03-04-2007, 05:51 AM	#9 (permalink)
Galbally Senior Member Supporting Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Republic of Ireland Posts: 8,816	Re: Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April Its great, he is a great scientific popularizer, a good physicist, and an amazing man for having overcome his own personal difficulties. He really should have died from ALS years ago, but thankfully he has proven to be a great survivor, and science has benefited hugely from his ability to engage the general public on his work. I hope he has a great time! Cool. __________________ "We are never so happy, never so unhappy, as we imagine" Le Rochefoucauld. "A smack in the face settles all arguments, then you can move on kid." My dad 1986.
Local Time: 11:51 PM Local Date: 12-03-2008

03-04-2007, 06:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
koan anomaly Supporting Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 12,699	Re: Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April I'd like to read a book written by Hawking on acid. __________________ Having the right to an opinion does not make your opinion right.
Local Time: 03:51 PM Local Date: 12-03-2008

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