Professor Stephen Hawking, one of the most famous minds, is known for his work in the mysteries of gravity, and he will soon see the biggest dream of his life become a reality. According to the famous scientist, he is going to travel in space!
In an interview with Piers Morgan at ITV's Good Morning Britain, Hawking said:
"My ultimate ambition is to fly in space. "I thought no one would take me, but Richard Branson offered me a place at Virgin Galactic, and I said yes right away."
The fact is especially remarkable for everyone and especially for Stephen Hawking, who suffers from ALS, a disease which keeps him immobile for more than 40 years. The scientist as you know is constantly seated in a specially designed wheelchair and communicates using a text-to-speech system that he controls using a sensor activated by a muscle in his cheek.
You can watch part of the interview below video (starts at 9:05):
Although it will be Hawking's first time traveling in space, it is not the first time he has been in a zero-gravity environment. In 2007 he tested the conditions of zero gravity on a specially modified aircraft Boeing 727-200.
Sir Richard Branson, who founded Virgin Galactic, told 2015 that he hopes to be able to get Stephen Hawking into space, and that he offers him a free ticket he could use if his health permits.
To mention that a flight with the eight-seater SpaceShipTwo of Virgin Galactic will cost $250.000 and that to date there are 700 interested parties waiting for a place on a trip. According to Forbes, SpaceShipTwo could launch as early as late 2017, but Virgin Galactic says it will not carry space tourists.
