Humans will not survive another 1,000 years on 'fragile' Earth, according to Professor Stephen Hawking. The renowned theoretical physicist believes that life on Earth is at an ever-increasing risk of being wiped out by a disaster, such as a sudden nuclear war, a genetically engineered virus, or the rising threat of artificial intelligence. He urged people to take more interest in space travel, and said that we must continue to go into space for the future of humanity Professor Hawking received a standing ovation after he urged a packed audience of scholars at Oxford University Union to take an interest in space travel. At the talk, Professor Hawking gave a one-hour whirlwind history of man's understanding of the origin of the universe from primordial creation myths to the most cutting edge predictions made by 'M-theory'. He said: 'Perhaps one day we will be able to use gravitational waves to look back into the heart of the Big Bang. 'Most recent advances in cosmology have been achieved from space where there are uninterrupted views of our Universe but we must also continue to go into space for the future of humanity. 'I don't think we will survive another 1,000 years without escaping our fragile planet.' Hawking, who has said he wanted to go into space on Virgin boss Richard Branson's Ride Virgin Atlantic spaceship, continued: 'I therefore want to encourage public interest in space, and I have been getting my training in early.'
