«Mad» Mike Hughes died in a rocket accident, trying to prove his theory of a flat Earth.
64-year-old man died after his homemade rocket fell on Saturday a few minutes after takeoff in a desert area near Barstow (California).
In a video posted on Twitter by journalist Justin Chapman, captured the launch. After a few seconds the parachute takes place too early and the missile falls to the ground.
Mad Mike Hughes just launched himself in a self-made steam-powered rocket and crash landed. Very likely did not survive. #MadMike #MadMikeHughes pic.twitter.com/svtviTEi8f
— Justin Chapman (@justindchapman) February 22, 2020
Science Channel confirmed that Hughes died pursuing his dream. «Michael «Mad Mike» Hughes tragically died today while trying to launch his homemade rocket — said in Saturday’s message. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.»
Friend Hughes Darren Shuster called the man «one of a kind».
«When God made Mike, he broke the pattern. This man could not go the other way!», — said Schuster.
According Space.com the launch attempt was filmed as part of a new television series «Home of astronauts».
Hughes tried to reach an altitude of 5000 feet on his steam rocket. For the show he and the two other teams worked hard to get as close to the line of the Pocket — point 62 miles above the Earth’s surface, which is considered the beginning of space.
Previously, Hughes spoke of his desire to prove the theory that the Earth «resembles a Frisbee», photographing the planet from space. He reached a height of about 1875 ft in March 2018.
«I just want people all asking questions. Questions that makes your Congressman, your city Council. Issues that actually occurred during the civil war. What happened during September 11», said Hughes CBS News last year.
