Stephen Hawking Goes Zero-G

Dr. Stephen Hawking got to experience the effects of weightlessness yesterday when he took a trip above aboard Zero Gravity Corp's modified Boeing 727. During the flight, they were able to complete 8 zero-gravity maneuvers, nearly triple their original goal. During the flight, Dr. Hawking was only able to communicate via facial expressions. Raised eyebrows for "Yes" and moving his mouth to one side for "No".

After one zero-gravity ride, crew members asked if he wanted to go again. Hawking dramatically stretched his eyebrows upward in an apparently emphatic yes.

During Wednesday's dry run, 14 year old Ted Straight got to fill in as Dr. Hawking's body double. This allowed doctors and crew to determine their positions and procedures during the actual flight.