House hunting in space

Posted: 14 Jun 2006 10:52:19 GMT

The property market may be in store for a mind-boggling transformation in the years to come, with house hunters extending their searches to the moon and even Mars.

Legendary British scientist, Stephen Hawking, told an enthralled audience yesterday that this has now become a very feasible dream.

He suggested that the risk of Earth being destroyed is becoming greater all the time, making the idea of setting up camp elsewhere all the more appealing.

"Life on Earth is at the ever-increasing risk of being wiped out by a disaster, such as sudden global warming, nuclear war, a genetically engineered virus or other dangers we have not yet thought of," he said.

Dr Hawking speculated that it would be possible to create a permanent base on the moon within the next 20 years. Life on Mars, meanwhile, could probably be achieved in 40 years.

But while science fiction aficionados may be drooling over the prospect of buying a property on another planet, it is unlikely that many will be selling their properties in anticipation of the move just yet.


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