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mhajicek writes:

Steven Hawking looks to be hitching a ride with Virgin Galactic:

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."

[...] When discussing the anticipated event, Hawking told Good Morning Britain that he never dreamed he'd have such an opportunity, and that he "said yes immediately." Hawking continued by noting that he looks forward to the voyage with great anticipation, comparing flying into space to the same joy that his three children have brought him. During the discussion, he stated, "my three children have brought me great joy – and I can tell you what will make me happy, to travel in space."

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

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