Special music to be beamed into space at Hawking's memorial service

A special piece of music composed in memory of Stephen Hawking will be beamed into space as a tribute to the work of legendary British theoretical physicist whose ashes will be interred at Westminster Abbey on Friday.

Hawking's ashes will be interred at Westminster Abbey between the graves of world renowned English physicist Isaac Newton and famed biologist Charles Darwin.

The music, created by Greek electronic composer Vangelis, the man behind the iconic Blade Runner and Chariots of Fire scores, will be played at the memorial service for Professor Hawking on June 15, Cambridge News reported.

As a tribute to Hawking's work the music is going to be beamed into space during the service from the European Space Agency ground centre in Spain, it said. The music will follow a number of readings and prayers read by friends and family.

Famous faces from the worlds of film and academia will join Hawking's family in paying the tribute to the famed scientist. Readings and prayers read by English actor Benedict Cumberbatch and British Astronaut Major Tim Peake will be included in the service.

Close friends and family, Hawking's first wife Jane will also play an active role.

The UK government on Monday said it will honour Hawking by awarding 10 research fellowships to exceptional PhD students excelling in the fields of maths, physics and computer sciences, terming it a "fitting tribute" to the great physicist. Hawking died at his Cambridge home on March 14 at the age of 76.