He was born 8th of January 1942 - and I consider him one of the greatest minds alive in our times.

When Stephen Hawkings took this zero-g trip last year I was thrilled with joy. I deeply admire Mr Hawkings for scientific work and his bravery facing his disability.

I guess we can hardly imagine what weightlessness means and feels like for someone slumped in his wheelchair all day. Since Hawkings is also a big space nerd this trip is - for the moment - the closest he can get to being in outer space. But maybe Virgin Galactic will take him and many others a bit further out pretty soon.