Will mankind leave Earth? Stephen Hawking warns the human race 'has no future if it doesn't go to space'

Our days on Earth are numbered, according to Professor Stephen Hawking.

The world-famous physicist has previously issued warnings to the world that robots could wipe out humanity and that leaving Earth is our only hope.

Now, in a new book, ‘How to Make a Spaceship’, the physicist has warned our planet is becoming a dangerous place because of the threat of war or disease.

It is a ‘near certainty’ that a major technological disaster will threaten humanity in the next 1,000 to 10,000 years. This is according to physicist Stephen Hawking who claims science will likely bring about ‘new ways things can go wrong’ for human survival

The book, written by journalist Julian Guthrie, contains an afterword by the physicist.

In an extract published in The Guardian, Professor Hawking describes his views on the future of space travel.

‘I believe 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 other dangers,’ he said.

‘I think the human race has no future if it doesn’t go to space.’