A self-taught rocket scientist who believes the
Earth is flat and wants to run for California governor shot himself up
about 1,875 feet in the air in his homemade rocket on Saturday.
“Mad” Mike Hughes, a 61-year-old limo
driver, promised last year to propel himself up in the air and snap a
photo proving that astronauts conspired to fabricate the shape of the
planet. The stunt was supposed to be the first phase of the flat-Earth
space program and receiving backing from flat-Earth groups.
Relieved,” the daredevil said after a landing that left him with
minor injuries. “I’m tired of people saying I chickened out and didn’t
build a rocket. I’m tired of that stuff. I manned up and did it.”
The rocket launch near Amboy, California – about 200
miles east of Los Angeles – was first scheduled last year, but it was
postponed multiple times amid mechanical problems and logistical issues
with the Bureau of Land Management.
Despite having some minor technical issues on Saturday, Hughes went
ahead and shot himself in the air, reaching around 350 mph before
pulling his parachute. He had to deploy a second parachute because he
was dropping too fast.
Footage shot shortly after the landing appears to show
Hughes disorientated, but conscious. Paramedics shortly got him out of
the cockpit and examined him.
“Am I glad I did it? Yeah. I guess. I’ll feel it in the morning. I
won’t be able to get out of bed. At least I can go home and have dinner
and see my cats tonight,” Hughes said after the stunt.
The daredevil, who said he wants to run for the
governorship of California, claims he built the steam-powered rocket out
of scrap metal parts in his garage. The project cost around $20,000.
Many mocked Hughes for his plans.
He told
a flat-Earth group last year that the project will “shut the doors on
this ball Earth,” but has since backtracked on the claims that his
mission will prove the Earth is flat.
“Do I believe the Earth is shaped like a Frisbee? I believe it is,”
he said on social media. “Do I know for sure? No. That’s why I want to
go up in space.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Related Posts
Google's SMS replacement ready to launch
Google's SMS replacement ready to launch
Google has
started the global roll-out of 
The active shooter situation” of youtube brings police to HQ:
Police have been responding to an active shooter at the YouTube headquarters in San Br
The wife to DPC Muhammad Kirumira claims thugs tried to kidnap her a day after husband's arrest
Kirumira's wife who is Pregnant claims that the people who tried to grab her also thre