In 2007, renowned physicist Stephen Hawking made history by becoming the first person with a disability to experience zero-gravity. The flight, conducted by Florida-based Zero Gravity Corp, performed parabolic dives that allowed for 25-second bursts of weightlessness.
Despite his condition from ALS that rendered him almost entirely immobile, Hawking was accompanied by medical personnel to ensure his safety. The physicist extended what was initially to be a single parabolic dive into eight, and even performed a 180-degree “flip” in zero gravity.
The experience was significant not just as a personal milestone for Hawking but also as a statement on the potential for space travel to be more inclusive. In interviews, Hawking expressed that the zero-gravity flight was a stepping stone towards a suborbital flight and ultimately, public interest in space exploration. He was vocal about his belief that humanity’s future survival could depend on venturing into space, a sentiment he also expressed in the funds raised from the flight, which went towards charity and furthering public interest in space.
