Back to Earth

Posted: Thursday, April 26, 2007 6:21 PM by Alan Boyle

World-famous physicist Stephen Hawking experienced eight rounds of weightlessness during a better-than-expected airplane flight that he saw as the first step toward a trip in space.

"It was amazing," Hawking told reporters afterward, using his well-known computerized voice. "The zero-G part was wonderful, and the high-G part was no problem. I could have gone on and on.

"Space, here I come."

Read the full story here, and stay tuned for a final update this evening.

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Comments

Congratulations! Dr.Hawking, Its Lifes little things that make us smile!!!

Jim Streetsboro, Ohio (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 5:10 PM)

This is great news. I can hardly wait to hear his comments on the experience. Hope more folks with similar challenges can experience zero g.

Jonathan Clark, Houston, TX (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 5:11 PM)

I think it is unthinkable to spend so much money to satisfy this kind of quest when so many people on this planet are starving, in need of health care, and need homes. Moreover, the money spent on this "wish list" venture, could be spent on research for the many devastating diseases for which we need cures. What Mr. Hawkins did was strictly for his own edification and he is seeking his 15 minutes of fame that he apparently could not get from his job as a physicist. I am not impressed. Mother Theresa impressed me. Do a story on her!

Mary Bryan (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 5:41 PM)

You would think Alan Boyle would know how to write a complete sentence: "As Zero Gravity Corp.'s modified Boeing 727 jet touched down here at NASA's Shuttle Landing Facility on Thursday." ?????

Jim West, Chattanooga, TN (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 6:10 PM)

I cannot believe that no one has commented on this yet! What a wonderful realization for Dr. Hawking to be able to experience zero gravity. I saw the ebay charity auction for the winner to be able to go on this trip with Dr. Hawking and I wished I was independently wealthy enough to have been able to bid on it! I am so glad to see that the flight was successful. My hope is that in the near future I will be able to read Dr. Hawkin has traveled into space! How brilliant would that be!

Christine Marlow, Owings Mills, Maryland (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 6:13 PM)

What a privilege to share this victorious moment for Stephen Hawking. One of the reasons that many of us consider him a hero is because of this imaginative enthusiasm for his field of study. When I read Hawking it feels like science fiction meeting science and now he got to go on the ride. I can't wait to hear his observations.

Rev. Tim White, Redmond Washington (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 6:24 PM)

I read a piece this morning but it must have been to early to remember it was happening today. Space travel is being accelerated by private enterprise and I personally think it is "about time". Being space geek myself it would be one of the greatest experiences to feel weightlessness

Goingbigger, Kirkland, WA (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 6:36 PM)

Cool! In his hope that humanity will expand off-planet, Hawking is clearly doing what he can to not just talk the talk but, ALS or not, also walk the walk...

Frank Glover Rochester, NY (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 6:51 PM)

I think it is awsome that such a great person got to experiance this

Dallas,Redmond, Wash. (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 7:00 PM)

One small step for man. One "Giant" leap for Mr. Hawking! Way to Go! Our hearts and prayers go out to you Mr. Hawking.

Lowel Goss, Wheat Ridge, CO (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 7:12 PM)

I think it is incredible that Stephen Hawking is pressing the bonderies. I greatly admire his gumption and intelligence. It's acts such as his that inspire breakthroughs. Five, ten, a hundred years from now people will look back and call this a turning point in space travel. Professor Hawking you're my hero today!!!

Casey Shaffer, Tallahassee, Florida (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 7:27 PM)

he looks like he is just skin and bones

nykia person, atlanta, georgia (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 7:28 PM)

It's great that Hawkings did this for fun and to show the world that disabilities don't need to get in the way of achievement, but it seems to me that the real significance is that it is the first step in building a space-based community where those with immobilizing disabilities are released from the bonds of gravity, and automated propellsion devices return their mobility.

Peter - Rockville, MD (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 7:29 PM)

can i come too :p

Nydia (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 7:36 PM)

Wow, that's awesome Stephen! It's great that Stephen is so much closer to fulfilling his dream space flight... what an inspiration not only for fellow disabled of Humanity but all of Humanity to demonstrate such a passionate focused pursuit of his dream... That there is much excitement in this world that can be shared by all and his promotion of this commercialized space program is great... I myself am now having similar flights of fancy, and know friends who may have had dreams themselves and felt confined... thanks for helping to liberate our imaginations Stephen... God Bless you and God Speed you Stephen to higher heights!

Karl, Madison, Wisconsin (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 7:40 PM)

We are very pleased to hear that Mr. Hawkins was able to experience the flight and hope that he is able to continue on and on...next in space!

Jason and Tana Waldrip (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 7:52 PM)

go Steven go, right on its about time hope you get to space asap!!!!

Dylan Ruff (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 8:04 PM)

I think this was a great thing. Of all the people in the world Stephen Hawking deserves this flight. I would love to do this if they will take a 65-year old greatgrandmother. I will be saving my pennies.

Sara Martin, Fairbanks, AK (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 8:49 PM)

Bravo Stephen Hawking !!

William Morrison (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 8:50 PM)

Good for you Stephen! You are an inspiration to my family!

Jo Ann, Moscow, Idaho (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 9:09 PM)

I'm really happy for Steven Hawking. Here is a man that works the deep mathematics of the universe all in his head in spite of his afflictions. And in spite of them again he got a little closer to the stars. :)

Rick, New York City, New York (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 9:46 PM)

Well Done, Dr. Hawking! As another who fervently believes that ALL of mankind is fit to explore and settle space, I salute you. I admire your grit and tenacity and your lucidity in the most difficult of circumstances. May you reach your goal of space flight and know that you take the hopes and dreams of many fellow human beings with you.

Erin Bann (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 9:49 PM)

you people have no idea I have a son who has CP Loves every thing! And takes nothing for granted. relies on us for his every need.This Man Stephen Hawking has a brain and no body,so to speak.one of the worlds best minds Kinda like my son Keep up the good work Steve! Mike McDonald envies you!

Mike McDonald (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 10:33 PM)

Another incredibly costly publicity stunt at taxpayer expense in an age when programs for the needy are cut and the elderly can't even afford the prescription coverage they need--a shameful waste of millions!

CSkin, Marriottsville, Md. (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 10:33 PM)

Zero Gravity Corp. is a for profit organization, and I'm pretty sure that NASA didn't let them use the facilities for free, or did I miss something? Bravo Mr. Hawking, bravo.

M. Sheets (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 11:00 PM)

ZERO-Gravity charges for the services and does not rely on taxpayer money. Last year and 84 year old great grandmother flew on ZERO-G when her kids and grand kids bought her a ride for a birthday present. She did great! We also had an 85 year old man from Italy ( a retired physician) who taught us all a thing or two about medicine and weightless flight. Any body (as Dr. Hawking proves) can do this.

Glen Gates, Pembroke Pines, Florida (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 11:23 PM)

NASA charges user fees for landing, parking and ground support services at the Shuttle Landing Facility. Jim Ball at NASA KSC has spearheaded several new initiatives at making the SLF a commercially viable operation. All commercial flight operations at the SLF have to be consistent with NASA and National strategic objectives, not interfere with other space flight related launches and all users have to pay for services, just like any other airport.

Glen Gates (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 11:31 PM)

Good for him. A well deserved reward for all he has given us.

Dave, Tempe AZ (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 11:35 PM)

I couldn't stop smiling when I watched the news clip. Good for you Stephen Hawking! And Peter Diamandis too, for making it happen. A Zero-G flight is just sometihng you can NEVER feel here on terra-firma. I highly recommend it for all!

Teresa, SF Bay Area, CA (Sent Friday, April 27, 2007 12:16 AM)

people who complain that this cost too much money need to shut up unless they've contacted thier congress-person and asked them to stop supporting an $8 billion dollar a month fake war. we've spent more $ in iraq in the time it took me to read this article than the $ it costs to put this fine doctor in zero G's. chose your battles people.

kelly, seattle, wa (Sent Friday, April 27, 2007 12:32 AM)

A BIG 'Thank You' to ZERO-Gravity for helping to make this dream come true for Dr. Hawking. You helped to make history today for all of us, and I thank you. Dr. Hawkings physical challenges and tenacity are an inspiration to us all and I heartly congratulate his most recent victory of 'Mind over Matter'.... Talk about thinking outside the box!!!!!

Anne (Sent Friday, April 27, 2007 1:29 AM)

I am so happy that I had to congratulate to Hawking.

I am a Chinese student,and this is the first time I read it.

Joanna (Sent Friday, April 27, 2007 1:39 AM)

First let me say, good for Mr. Hawking. I am glad he got to take his ride and float around in zero-G.

But let us remember that this was little more than a publicity stunt.

It was staged by fans of human space flight. Which is a relic of the cold war era. The need to send humans into space has long since ended. Whatever we need done in space can be done remotely from the Earth using robots.

It is ironic that the weightlessness we are talking about here, is just one of the many reasons there will never be any manned space travel beyond low Earth orbit.

The effects of zero gravity are very destructive to the human body over the long term.

There are other reasons, such as the solar and galactic background radiation problem. Also not to mention the astronomical cost of sending humans into space.
So continue dreaming about soaring into space if you must. But I am afraid that is all it will ever be.

Jon, Ygn. , OH (Sent Friday, April 27, 2007 4:51 PM)

To CSkin:

What taxpayers? Remember, this is a modified commercial jet, of the sort that crosses the skies every day, operated by a profit-making venture (any of *us* could make that flight, had we the money and desire to spend it), and Prof. Hawking's 'ticket' was paid by supporters who freely gave their own money.

Never assume that everything even remotely space-related is a NASA or military project that comes out of taxes. If he's able to go on to ride a suborbital vehicle, that, too, will be on a private dime.

For the issues you address, your time would be beter spent with your senator or representative, whose elected job it is to deal with them, not one man's purely personal effort to both inspire and find inspiration...

(and explicitly supporting several charities as he does so)

Frank Glover Rochester, NY (Sent Friday, April 27, 2007 5:02 PM)

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