Stephen Hawking on Why We Must Explore Space

The renowned British astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, speaking to the press in Hong Kong, said, ""It is important for the human race to spread out into space for the survival of the species." He forecast a permanent lunar base in 20 years and a Martian colony in another 20. Citing the threats of nuclear war and environmental disasters on Earth, Hawking argued that both necessity, not just the desire to explore, will spread the human race to other celestial bodies. (Hawking was initially dismissive of NASA's Vision for Space Exploration, but seems to have rethought the issue.) He did add the caution that, "We won't find anywhere as nice as Earth unless we go to another star system."