Stephen Hawking is Going to Outer Space

[brooklynite]

Source: Futurism.com

“I Said Yes Immediately”

Stephen Hawking, the world’s most renowned physicist and cosmologist, stated today that he is, in fact, heading to space—and it’s happening all thanks to the Virgin group (and a bit of modern technology).

In a statement back in 2015, Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin group, said that, one day, he hoped to be able to carry Hawking to the stars. In the statement, Branson noted that this offer came as a result of the great respect and admiration that he has for Hawking:

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.

At 75 years of age, Hawking won’t be the oldest astronaut ever (that designation belongs to John Glenn, who went to space at the age of 77), but he will be the first person to go to space with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)—also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS is a motor-neuron disease that generally leads to death within five years of the initial diagnosis. Hawking’s condition was first diagnosed when he was 21, and he was not expected to see his 25th birthday.

Read more: https://futurism.com/stephen-hawking-is-going-to-outer-space/

[ancianita]

1. Best news of the day for me. nt

[NWCorona]

5. Agreed!

[democratisphere]

2. WOW! What an amazing opportunity for Stephen Hawking.

Hawking sure deserves this great gift. Can't wait till blastoff.

[delisen]

3. After reading posts about the horrible old baby boomer generation who are too old for presidency

so decrepit and slow, that they must move out of the way, it is interesting to see this man, born in the early 1940s heading into space.

[central scrutinizer]

4. Baseball is noted for amazing coincidences

Not only did Lou Gehrig have Lou Gehrig's disease but Tommy John had Tommy John surgery. What are the odds?

[Codeine]

6. That was goofy, but it made me genuinely LOL

Well done.

[frazzled]

7. Can I go with him?

'Cause I can't take it here anymore. I gotta get out of this place, if it's the last thing I ever do. Stop the world, I want to get off.

[Rhiannon12866]

9. The way things have been going, I wouldn't be surprised if there were stowaways

You're not alone feeling as you do...

[shenmue]

8. Wow!

[LakeArenal]

10. Sometimes the news has something really good to report.

Health be with you Stephen....

[KewlKat]

11. While I'm excited for him, will his fragile body be able to handle the blast off and landing?

I know they've all thought about it and he would never pass up that opportunity even if there is risk I'm sure, but hate to have something happen to him.