2007-08-17 14:57:32 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
No, his breathing has to be assisted and the 3Gs of a space shuttle launch would be too much for him.
He has been treated to zero-g on the "vomit comet;" which is part of astronaut training. The airplane flies straight up and then dives straight down, creating 8 minutes of zero-g, in which he floated free in the cabin.
The astronauts called it the "vomit comet" because the ride was wilder than any roller coaster, with the plane bouncing up and down like a yo-yo. NASA did not sponsor this flight, it was part of private companies training people for future private space flights. The time on the flight was donated and Steven Hawking's nurse was with him constantly monitoring him to make sure he was safe. Needless to say he enjoyed the experience very much.
It is probably the closest he will ever get to space, but it was enough to feel the freedom of the astronauts. Without having to survive that 3G crush of take off. In a Russian rocket the experience can get as high as 4 G and people with a mild heart problem are frequently not allowed in the 6 month training program.
While I am sure Steven would love to visit space, he can do a lot more constructive work here on the the ground. When his MS was taking over his body, during college he developed a way to create thought experiments allowing him to work, think and create on his own without having to rely on others. He does need them to live, and relies heavily on them in his teaching, but with his experiments and new discoveries he can do a lot of the work himself. That is one thing that makes what he has done so noteworthy.
Steven Hawking, despite all his work, has never been nominated for a Nobel Prize. He has started work that others have used and built upon to earn scientific honors so I think that he should be nominated for a Nobel Prize for lifetime achievement. What do you think?
2007-08-17 15:05:19 · answer #1 · answered by Dan S 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Get out of the astronomy section jerk. Everyone please flag this dude's questions as spam until he leaves.
Dan- this guys questions are not serious. Take a look at his profile and check out his 262 other questions. He's got the brain of a two year old.
2007-08-17 15:43:58 · answer #2 · answered by Troasa 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No, but then again, you need to be really fit to be an astronaut. I can speak by myself and say I could, but what about you?
2007-08-17 15:27:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
What matters is that he will be happy during the flight. It will be his most glorious moment in life.
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2007-08-17 15:05:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋