Renowned theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking is prepping for an out-of-this-world flight into space with Richard Branson‘s commercial spaceline, Virgin Galactic… by taking a zero-gravity ride first.
“I have already completed a zero-gravity flight which allowed me to float, weightless,” Hawking told “Good Morning Britain” Friday.
“But my ultimate ambition is to fly into space. I thought no one would take me, but Richard Branson has offered me a seat on Virgin Galactic and I said ‘yes’ immediately.”
Hawking, 75, got a feeling for weightlessness courtesy of GoZeroG, an outfit that has modified a Boeing 727 to create a zero-gravity environment allowing you to float, flip and soar as if you were in space.
“It was amazing. The zero-g part was wonderful. I could have gone on and on. Space, here I come,” Hawking said.
Branson extended an invitation back in 2015 to Hawking, whom he has long admired.
“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,” Branson said in a statement at the time. “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.”
The actual flight into space on Virgin Galactic is still many years into the future, and Hawking’s health — he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 21 and has become gradually paralyzed for decades — are of significant concern for such a journey.
10 Unforgettable Space Odysseys (Photos)
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
Widely considered one of the best sci-fi films of all time, Stanley Kubrick's space opera revolutionized the genre. Though the film's message is up to interpretation, one thing beyond question is how the visual effects are superior to a lot of movies made today.
APOLLO 13
Ron Howard directs this movie based of the true story of the Apollo 13 mission. Tom Hanks stars in the inspiring movie about three astronauts who had to find a way to return home safely in a broken vessel. "Apollo 13" earned a best picture nomination, but lost to "Braveheart."
EVENT HORIZON
When a ship thought to be lost mysteriously returns from a black hole, a crew is set to investigate and discovers someone, or something, else is onboard. Laurence Fishburne and Sam Neill starred for Paul W.S. Anderson in his pre-"Resident Evil" days.
ALIEN
Ridley Scott successfully mixed the horror and sci-fi genres with 1979's "Alien," about a crew picked off by a vicious alien. The sequels, and prequel, that it spawned would drop the horror aspect and go with more straightforward action.
MAROONED
Released just five months before Apollo 13 would begin its fateful mission in 1969, "Marooned" followed a group of astronauts whose engines fail and are in a race against time to get back to Earth.
MISSION TO MARS
Tim Robbins and Don Cheadle lead a rescue mission to the red planet when disaster strikes the crew of a previous mission. "Mission to Mars" would prove to be Brian De Palma's first -- and only -- sci-fi outing.
MOON
Sam Rockwell works alone at a base on the moon -- or so he thinks. When he finds an unconscious body on the lunar surface that looks exactly like him he begins to realize that his job may be more than it appears. Duncan Jones received rave reviews for his directorial debut.
SUNSHINE
Danny Boyle added his personal signature to space travel with 2007's "Sunshine." Cillian Murphy leads a team of astronauts with the mission of reigniting the sun with a nuclear bomb in order to save the Earth.
LOST IN SPACE
This remake of the 1960s TV series saw the Robinson family's journey thrown off course by a villainous Gary Oldman. Another notable member of the cast was "Friends" star Matt LeBlanc -- whose film career seemed to disappear just like the Robinsons.
A TRIP TO THE MOON
More than half a decade before space travel would become a reality, a group of scientists travel to the Moon and encounter aliens in George Meliés masterpiece. Made in 1902, "A Trip to the Moon" helped kick start the idea of what film could do.
1 of 10
With ”Gravity“ hitting screens on Friday, here are 10 other films where stars get lost in space.
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
Widely considered one of the best sci-fi films of all time, Stanley Kubrick's space opera revolutionized the genre. Though the film's message is up to interpretation, one thing beyond question is how the visual effects are superior to a lot of movies made today.
