“I have wanted to fly into space for many years, but never imagined it would really be feasible.”
- January 8, 1942 – March 14, 2018
- British
- Theoretical physicist, science writer
- Announced the black hole singularity theorem and Hawking radiation, and contributed to the popularization of science with his book “Talking about the Universe”
Quote
“I have wanted to fly into space for many years, but never imagined it would really be feasible.”
Explanation
In this quote, Stephen Hawking reflects on a personal dream of traveling into space, tempered by the realization that such an ambition seemed impractical or unrealistic for much of his life. Given the technological limitations of his time and his physical condition, Hawking’s longing to experience space travel was a wish rather than an expectation. He hints at the seemingly insurmountable barriers—both in terms of space travel technology and his own health challenges—that made space exploration appear out of reach for someone in his position. For much of the 20th century, space travel was confined to the realm of highly trained astronauts and, later, only available to a select few.
However, Hawking’s quote also speaks to the remarkable progress in space exploration, particularly in recent years with the advent of commercial space travel. Space tourism, led by companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic, has made the dream of space travel more feasible for a wider range of people. Hawking himself, who had spent much of his life exploring the mysteries of the cosmos through theoretical physics, finally had the opportunity to experience weightlessness and the sensation of space travel in 2007, when he flew on a zero-gravity flight provided by Zero Gravity Corporation.
The quote underscores a broader theme in Hawking’s work: that the future is full of possibilities, and the boundaries of what was once considered impossible are constantly being pushed. In his later years, Hawking often spoke about the importance of space exploration for the survival of the human species, not just as a personal aspiration, but as an essential avenue for the future of humanity. The desire to fly into space, once deemed unfeasible, became a reality thanks to technological advancements and the bold vision of scientists and entrepreneurs. This reflects Hawking’s belief in the power of human ingenuity and the potential to break through limitations—whether they are physical, technological, or societal—just as he had done in his own remarkable career.
