Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 2:20 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 â€” 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 · Post by **Marie5656** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 2:45 pm

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

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 2:55 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 · Post by **Marie5656** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 3:03 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 · Post by **AussiePam** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 3:32 pm

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

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 3:36 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 · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 3:40 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 · Post by **foofoo stripper** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 4:00 pm

I think this is so great!

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 5:51 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. :-6

koan · Post by **koan** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 6:55 am

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

Carl44 · Post by **Carl44** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 6:57 am

koan;567542 wrote: I'd like to read a book written by Hawking on acid.

wont your fingers desolve:wah: :wah:

music lover another 2 points

koan · Post by **koan** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 7:10 am

I'm sure he'd convince 90% of the people who read it that the world is, in fact, melting.

koan · Post by **koan** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 7:11 am

I hate it when I have to set up my own punchlines. Get with it jimbo!

Carl44 · Post by **Carl44** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 7:15 am

koan;567548 wrote: I hate it when I have to set up my own punchlines. Get with it jimbo!

ok give me a hint er er global warming , the ice caps are melting :sneaky:

another 2 points

koan · Post by **koan** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 7:26 am

jimbo;567552 wrote: ok give me a hint er er global warming , the ice caps are melting :sneaky:

another 2 points

I fear even Hawking couldn't figure out your point system.

Richard Bell · Post by **Richard Bell** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 9:36 am

One of the greatest jokes from The Simpsons :

Stephen Hawking is admonishing the Springfield intelligentsia for lording their superiority over the (mostly stupid) ordinary Springfieldians.:yh_glasse

At the end of Hawking's speech, Homer shouts "Larry Flynt is right !". :yh_rotfl

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 2:00 pm

koan;567542 wrote: I'd like to read a book written by Hawking on acid.

Nah, it would be just like a Timothy Leary book, but just with more classical references I would think. :wah: