Flat-Earther Who Built $20K Rocket Finally Launched Himself — Here’s How it Went

For months, “Mad” Mike Hughes promised to blast into the air in a homemade rocket and parachute back down to the ground. The reason why? To raise awareness about the highly-scrutinized Flat Earth conspiracy. Well, the 61-year-old recently made good on his promise — and even survived to tell the tale.

Credit: Washington Post

As The Mind Unleashed reported in 2017, Hughes fiercely believes that the Earth is flat. Because he doesn’t trust government organizations, including NASA, he decided to build his own $20,000 rocket and see for himself if the planet we inhabit is a sphere or a giant, flat plane. He told the AP in November:

“I don’t believe in science, I know about aerodynamics and fluid dynamics and how things move through the air, about the certain size of rocket nozzles, and thrust. But that’s not science, that’s just a formula. There’s no difference between science and science fiction. If you’re not scared to death, you’re an idiot. It’s scary as hell, but none of us are getting out of this world alive. I like to do extraordinary things that no one else can do, and no one in the history of mankind has designed, built, and launched himself in his own rocket.”

Days ago, the launch finally took place. On Saturday afternoon, the 61-year-old propelled himself about 1,875 feet (570 meters) into the air above the Mojave Desert in California. On the side of his rocket, Hughes stuck a giant sticker which read, “Research Flat Earther.” A US flag stuck out of the side. As Hughes and the rocket reached peak altitude, his parachute successfully sprung open. Both he and the rocket drifted down to the ground.

After being checked out by paramedics, Hughes said he felt “fine” but didn’t expect he would be able to walk the day after due to the bumpy launch and hard landing. Is he glad he did it? “Yeah. I guess,” said Hughes. “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.”

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Considering the flat-earther is not an engineer, it is quite impressive he made it back in one piece. No doubt, the relentless criticism he received motivated him to fulfill his mission.

“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,” said Hughes.

NOIZE TV documentary filmed the launch. View it below:

https://instagram.com/p/BgupNvxHsMl/?utm_source=ig_embed

Following the scientific voyage, Hughes still believes the Earth is flat. He maintains this opinion because the rocket launch was only supposed to be a publicity stunt for the “Flat Earth movement” — not verification of the shape of the planet.

As IFLScience reports, he did not ascend high enough to see the shape of the planet anyway, as you’d need to be at least 10.7 kilometers (35,000 feet) above the Earth to see the shape of its curvature. This is why Hughes now intends to launch himself into space. The “Rockoon” will be carried into the atmosphere by a gas-filled balloon. As the AP reports, the rocket will then detach from the balloon and transport Hughes about 68 miles above the ground.

“Do I believe the Earth is shaped like a Frisbee? I believe it is,” he said. “Do I know for sure? No. That’s why I want to go up in space.”

Credit: South China Morning Post

After Hughes proves the Earth is flat, he plans to run for Governor. “This is no joke,” Hughes said. “I want to do it.”

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h/t Associated Press, IFLScience