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Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April
Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 2:20 pm
by chonsigirl
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."
Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April
Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 2:45 pm
by Marie5656
I am interested in this. I am amazed he is still around with the ALS and all. Good for him.
Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April
Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 2:55 pm
by AussiePam
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!!!
Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April
Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 3:03 pm
by Marie5656
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.
Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April
Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 3:32 pm
by AussiePam
I've watched disabled people skiing, Marie, and thought the same.
Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April
Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 3:36 pm
by Marie5656
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.
Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April
Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 3:40 pm
by chonsigirl
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.
Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April
Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 4:00 pm
by foofoo stripper
I think this is so great!
Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April
Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 5:51 am
by Galbally
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
Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April
Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 6:55 am
by koan
I'd like to read a book written by Hawking on acid.
Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April
Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 6:57 am
by Carl44
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
Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April
Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 7:10 am
by koan
I'm sure he'd convince 90% of the people who read it that the world is, in fact, melting.
Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April
Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 7:11 am
by koan
I hate it when I have to set up my own punchlines. Get with it jimbo!
Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April
Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 7:15 am
by Carl44
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
Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April
Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 7:26 am
by koan
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.
Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April
Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 9:36 am
by Richard Bell
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
Stephen Hawking to go weightless in April
Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 2:00 pm
by Galbally
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: