Diply
  • Home
  • DIY
    Dad carrying child on his shoulders (Unsplash | Kelly Sikkema)

    Simple Cardboard Vase Activity Encourages Kids To Explore The Great Outdoors

    Grandma crocheting

    Forget Flowers And Gift The DIYer In Your Life A Yarn Bouquet Instead

    Remodelaholic | https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:30_Hudson_Yards_(92900).jpg

    You Can Make Your Own Backyard Oasis With A Fire Pit Just In Time For Summer

    Pool noodle DIY monsters

    28 Amazing DIYs That Are Seriously Made From Pool Noodles

    Unsplash | Kenrick Mills

    Stunning ‘Sea Glass’ Quilts Are A Beautiful Way To Use Up Fabric Scraps

    Unsplash

    Artist Creates Adorable Creatures Inspired By Tea

  • Home & Garden
    Pink flowers bush

    Garden Expert Shares Simple Hack For Keeping Your Flowers Vibrant For Longer

    joes-garden-on-tiktok-for-gardening-tips

    You’re Probably Watering Your Plants Wrong—Expert Explains The ONE Reason Your Plants Die Fast

    Home Depot | www.homedepot.com

    People Are Writing Hilarious Reviews For Home Depot’s $1500 Crab Sculpture

    Unsplash | Robin Wersich

    Woman Shares Hack To Help Keep Our Gardens Green All Summer

    Unsplash | Sandie Clarke

    18 Gardening Tips And Tricks Perfect For Beginners

    Unsplash | Annie Gray

    People Who Have Been On Home Makeover Shows Share How It’s Going Now

    Unsplash | Emiliano Bar

    TikToker Shows How Little $4,000 Rent Gets Apartment Hunters In NYC

    Red and Blue folded towels

    ‘What Is The Purpose Of This Part Of A Towel?’ – Online User Sparks Debate Over Confusing Detail In The Home Item

    Pexels  | Pexels

    We’ve Been Carving Pumpkins Wrong For Years, But One Woman Set Us All Straight

  • Food & Drink
    Haribo Happy Cola Original packet

    Haribo Recalls Gummies After Product Batch Was Found to Contain Cannabis

    Unsplash | Aubrey Odom-Mabey

    Woman Sets Out To Try All The Recipes Left On Grave Markers

    Reader's Digest | Paramount

    Cooking Mistakes We’re Probably All Making

    youtube | Warner Home Video

    Firefighters Rescue Two People Who Fell Into A Chocolate Tank At A Mars Factory

    Unsplash | Towfiqu barbhuiya

    Here Is The Perfect Peanut Butter And Pickle Sandwich Recipe

    Unsplash | Quin Engle

    A Man’s ‘Demonic’ Way To Cut Pizza Has Divided The Internet

    TikTok | @thewirelady

    Here’s The Perfect Hack For You To Make Chocolate Croissants With An Air Fryer

    Unsplash | Katie Smith

    People Are Dishing Out Their Favorite Lazy Cooking Cheats, So We’re Taking Notes

    Canva

    Disney’s Olaf Hot Chocolate Bombs Are Like A Warm Hug In Every Mug

  • Cooking & Recipes
    Unsplash | Aubrey Odom-Mabey

    Woman Sets Out To Try All The Recipes Left On Grave Markers

    Reader's Digest | Paramount

    Cooking Mistakes We’re Probably All Making

    Unsplash | Towfiqu barbhuiya

    Here Is The Perfect Peanut Butter And Pickle Sandwich Recipe

    TikTok | @thewirelady

    Here’s The Perfect Hack For You To Make Chocolate Croissants With An Air Fryer

    Unsplash | Katie Smith

    People Are Dishing Out Their Favorite Lazy Cooking Cheats, So We’re Taking Notes

    Unsplash | CA Creative

    People Are Sharing The Worst Homemade Meals They’ve Ever Had

    NBC | NBC

    Random (But Useful) Kitchen Hacks Everyone Should Know

    Unsplash | Conscious Design

    Hilarious Cooking Mistakes That Took A Bad Turn

    Unsplash | Louis Hansel

    Chefs Share The Ingredients People Often Overlook

  • Bed & Bath
    Unsplash | Grant Beirute

    Costco Has A 10-Foot Blanket That Has Cozy Family Time Written All Over It

    Unsplash | Jude Infantini

    Expert Says Not Washing Pillows Often Enough Can Make People Sick

    Pexels  | Pexels

    18 People Who Took Bathroom Decor To The Extreme

    Unsplash | Jeremy Sallee

    Chances Are Most Of Us Have Been Washing Our Duvets Wrong

    Unsplash | LeeAnn Cline

    Wife Sparks Debate After She Says There’s No Need To Iron Bedsheets

    Unsplash | Nathan Powers

    Apparently, Vodka Is The Secret Ingredient To A Spotless Bathroom

  • Pets & Animals
    Croc attack

    Baby Boy Killed By Crocodile After Being Snatched From Canoe In Front Of Horrified Dad

    Croc attack

    Horrific Footage Of Tourist Mauled By 15ft Crocodile After Jumping Into Enclosure

    Vanilla the chimp sees the open sky

    Stunning Footage Shows Chimp Experiencing Sunlight For First Time After Almost Three Decades in A Cage

    Genetically created 'dire wolf' (Colossal Biosciences)

    Scientists Claim to Have Brought Back Wolf Species From 10,000 Years of Extinction –  But Other Experts Dispute It

    Unsplash | Hans-Jurgen Mager

    15 Animals With Vaguely Threatening Auras

    TikTok | @cat_the_vet

    Veterinarian Explains Why Norway Banned Breeding Bulldogs And Cavalier Spaniels

    Unsplash | Colin + Meg

    Incredible Footage of Moose Shedding Antlers – See It for Yourself

    Unsplash | Sergey Semin

    Cat With No Eyes Has A New Life Now As An Online Sensation

    Cats can contract bird flu and people should be aware

    Protecting Your Cats from Bird Flu: Essential Tips to Keep Them Safe

No Result
View All Result
Diply
  • Home
  • DIY
    Dad carrying child on his shoulders (Unsplash | Kelly Sikkema)

    Simple Cardboard Vase Activity Encourages Kids To Explore The Great Outdoors

    Grandma crocheting

    Forget Flowers And Gift The DIYer In Your Life A Yarn Bouquet Instead

    Remodelaholic | https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:30_Hudson_Yards_(92900).jpg

    You Can Make Your Own Backyard Oasis With A Fire Pit Just In Time For Summer

    Pool noodle DIY monsters

    28 Amazing DIYs That Are Seriously Made From Pool Noodles

    Unsplash | Kenrick Mills

    Stunning ‘Sea Glass’ Quilts Are A Beautiful Way To Use Up Fabric Scraps

    Unsplash

    Artist Creates Adorable Creatures Inspired By Tea

  • Home & Garden
    Pink flowers bush

    Garden Expert Shares Simple Hack For Keeping Your Flowers Vibrant For Longer

    joes-garden-on-tiktok-for-gardening-tips

    You’re Probably Watering Your Plants Wrong—Expert Explains The ONE Reason Your Plants Die Fast

    Home Depot | www.homedepot.com

    People Are Writing Hilarious Reviews For Home Depot’s $1500 Crab Sculpture

    Unsplash | Robin Wersich

    Woman Shares Hack To Help Keep Our Gardens Green All Summer

    Unsplash | Sandie Clarke

    18 Gardening Tips And Tricks Perfect For Beginners

    Unsplash | Annie Gray

    People Who Have Been On Home Makeover Shows Share How It’s Going Now

    Unsplash | Emiliano Bar

    TikToker Shows How Little $4,000 Rent Gets Apartment Hunters In NYC

    Red and Blue folded towels

    ‘What Is The Purpose Of This Part Of A Towel?’ – Online User Sparks Debate Over Confusing Detail In The Home Item

    Pexels  | Pexels

    We’ve Been Carving Pumpkins Wrong For Years, But One Woman Set Us All Straight

  • Food & Drink
    Haribo Happy Cola Original packet

    Haribo Recalls Gummies After Product Batch Was Found to Contain Cannabis

    Unsplash | Aubrey Odom-Mabey

    Woman Sets Out To Try All The Recipes Left On Grave Markers

    Reader's Digest | Paramount

    Cooking Mistakes We’re Probably All Making

    youtube | Warner Home Video

    Firefighters Rescue Two People Who Fell Into A Chocolate Tank At A Mars Factory

    Unsplash | Towfiqu barbhuiya

    Here Is The Perfect Peanut Butter And Pickle Sandwich Recipe

    Unsplash | Quin Engle

    A Man’s ‘Demonic’ Way To Cut Pizza Has Divided The Internet

    TikTok | @thewirelady

    Here’s The Perfect Hack For You To Make Chocolate Croissants With An Air Fryer

    Unsplash | Katie Smith

    People Are Dishing Out Their Favorite Lazy Cooking Cheats, So We’re Taking Notes

    Canva

    Disney’s Olaf Hot Chocolate Bombs Are Like A Warm Hug In Every Mug

  • Cooking & Recipes
    Unsplash | Aubrey Odom-Mabey

    Woman Sets Out To Try All The Recipes Left On Grave Markers

    Reader's Digest | Paramount

    Cooking Mistakes We’re Probably All Making

    Unsplash | Towfiqu barbhuiya

    Here Is The Perfect Peanut Butter And Pickle Sandwich Recipe

    TikTok | @thewirelady

    Here’s The Perfect Hack For You To Make Chocolate Croissants With An Air Fryer

    Unsplash | Katie Smith

    People Are Dishing Out Their Favorite Lazy Cooking Cheats, So We’re Taking Notes

    Unsplash | CA Creative

    People Are Sharing The Worst Homemade Meals They’ve Ever Had

    NBC | NBC

    Random (But Useful) Kitchen Hacks Everyone Should Know

    Unsplash | Conscious Design

    Hilarious Cooking Mistakes That Took A Bad Turn

    Unsplash | Louis Hansel

    Chefs Share The Ingredients People Often Overlook

  • Bed & Bath
    Unsplash | Grant Beirute

    Costco Has A 10-Foot Blanket That Has Cozy Family Time Written All Over It

    Unsplash | Jude Infantini

    Expert Says Not Washing Pillows Often Enough Can Make People Sick

    Pexels  | Pexels

    18 People Who Took Bathroom Decor To The Extreme

    Unsplash | Jeremy Sallee

    Chances Are Most Of Us Have Been Washing Our Duvets Wrong

    Unsplash | LeeAnn Cline

    Wife Sparks Debate After She Says There’s No Need To Iron Bedsheets

    Unsplash | Nathan Powers

    Apparently, Vodka Is The Secret Ingredient To A Spotless Bathroom

  • Pets & Animals
    Croc attack

    Baby Boy Killed By Crocodile After Being Snatched From Canoe In Front Of Horrified Dad

    Croc attack

    Horrific Footage Of Tourist Mauled By 15ft Crocodile After Jumping Into Enclosure

    Vanilla the chimp sees the open sky

    Stunning Footage Shows Chimp Experiencing Sunlight For First Time After Almost Three Decades in A Cage

    Genetically created 'dire wolf' (Colossal Biosciences)

    Scientists Claim to Have Brought Back Wolf Species From 10,000 Years of Extinction –  But Other Experts Dispute It

    Unsplash | Hans-Jurgen Mager

    15 Animals With Vaguely Threatening Auras

    TikTok | @cat_the_vet

    Veterinarian Explains Why Norway Banned Breeding Bulldogs And Cavalier Spaniels

    Unsplash | Colin + Meg

    Incredible Footage of Moose Shedding Antlers – See It for Yourself

    Unsplash | Sergey Semin

    Cat With No Eyes Has A New Life Now As An Online Sensation

    Cats can contract bird flu and people should be aware

    Protecting Your Cats from Bird Flu: Essential Tips to Keep Them Safe

No Result
View All Result
Diply
No Result
View All Result

“Mad” Mike Hughes, Daredevil And Flat Earth Proponent, Dies In Rocket Launch

by Ryan Ford
5 years ago
in People & Society
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
Facebook | Michael Hughes

Facebook | Michael Hughes

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterPin This Post

“Mad” Mike Hughes, the daredevil who made headlines for launching himself in his own homemade, steam-powered rockets with the aim of proving the Earth is flat has died in a tragic launch accident, the L.A. Times reported. He was 64.

Hughes was a daredevil long before climbing into the cockpit of a rocket.

Image credit: Facebook | Michael Hughes
Facebook | Michael Hughes

In fact, Hughes holds a Guinness World Record for jumping stretch limousines. In 2002, Hughes jumped a 6,500-pound Lincoln Town Car a distance of 103 feet at California’s Perris Auto Speedway.

RELATED STORIES

Paloma Shemirani

Siblings Blame Death of Sister With Cancer On Mother After She Pushed Her to Reject Chemotherapy

Disneyland castle

Man Arrested For Allegedly Trying to Marry 9-Year-Old At Disneyland Paris in Fake Ceremony

Millbrook couple, Kevin and Wendy Wilson, diagnosed with stage 4 cancer

Married Couple Get Diagnosed With Stage 4 Cancer In The Same Week: ‘Not Done Seeing The Kids Grow’

Ice cream cone and cruise ship

Doctor Details Morbid Reason Behind ‘Free Ice Cream Parties’ On Cruise Ships After Someone Dies

However, Hughes’s biggest headlines came from his attempts to launch himself in his DIY rockets.

In 2018, Hughes launched himself more than 1,800 feet over the Mojave Desert.

Image credit: Facebook | Michael Hughes
Facebook | Michael Hughes

At the time, he told the Associated Press that he was on a mission to determine, once and for all, whether the Earth was flat or not.

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

The Earth has been known to be spherical for at least 2,000 years, but even if Hughes’s attempt to reach 5,000 feet succeeded, he wouldn’t have had the view he ultimately wanted.

Reaching an altitude of 5,000 feet was a step on the way to a larger goal.

Image credit: Facebook | Michael Hughes
Facebook | Michael Hughes

Hughes had hoped that through launches like that, a radio show on Flat Earth radio, and sponsored stunts like a cross-country limousine trip to “measure the curvature of the Earth,” he might be able to raise enough money to built a vessel, part rocket and part balloon, that would take him up to the Kármán line.

The Kármán line defines the boundary between Earth and space and sits at an altitude of 62 miles (330,000 feet, 100 kilometers) above sea level.

However, according to Hughes’s public relations representative Darren Shuster, Hughes wasn’t much of a Flat Earther at heart.

Image credit: Facebook | Michael Hughes
Facebook | Michael Hughes

Shuster told the L.A. Times that it had more to do with drumming up sponsors. “I don’t think he believed it,” Shuster said. “He did have some governmental conspiracy theories. But don’t confuse it with that Flat Earth thing. That was a PR stunt we dreamed up.”

Nevertheless, Hughes spent countless hours building his own rockets from spare parts, and he did climb into them and launch himself into the air.

Unfortunately, Hughes’s latest launch ended in tragedy.

Image credit: Facebook | Michael Hughes
Facebook | Michael Hughes

As his rocket left its ramp, it appeared to catch on the ladder he used to enter the cockpit. “It ripped off a parachute can, which deployed the parachute, which got caught in the thrust of the rocket and kind of took the rocket off course a little bit,” said Justin Chapman, a freelance journalist attending the launch, according to NPR .

The crowd gathered below could only watch in horror as Hughes’s rocket plummeted back down to Earth.

“Everyone was stunned,” Chapman said. “They didn’t know what to do. He landed about half a mile away from the launch pad.”

The Science Channel was among those in attendance at the launch, which they were filming as part of their “Homemade Astronauts” series.

Both Shuster and Chapman said Hughes was well aware of the risks involved in his launches.

Image credit: Facebook | Michael Hughes
Facebook | Michael Hughes

“He knew very well, he said very often, that this thing could kill you, he was very well aware of that,” Chapman told NPR. “He was a daredevil and he was driven by this compulsion to do extraordinary things and inspire people, as he put it.”

“This guy knew he wasn’t going to live till 80,” Shuster said to the L.A. Times. “I spent a lot of hours with him. He had something in him that compelled himself to push himself further each time.”

h/t: L.A. Times , NPR

Tags: People & Society

What's Popular

Remodelaholic | https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:30_Hudson_Yards_(92900).jpg
DIY Projects

You Can Make Your Own Backyard Oasis With A Fire Pit Just In Time For Summer

Dad carrying child on his shoulders (Unsplash | Kelly Sikkema)
DIY Projects

Simple Cardboard Vase Activity Encourages Kids To Explore The Great Outdoors

The Krazy Koupon Lady | The How-To Home
DIY Projects

15+ Clothing Hacks To Keep Your Style On Point

TikTok | @kerifay
DIY Projects

TikTok Users Share A Clever Upcycling Project For Old Sweatpants

  • About Us
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • DMCA

Discover creativity and comfort with Diply—your go-to lifestyle hub for DIYs, beauty tips, recipes, home inspiration and more! © 2024 Diply

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • DIY
  • Home & Garden
  • Food & Drink
  • Cooking & Recipes
  • Bed & Bath
  • Pets & Animals

Discover creativity and comfort with Diply—your go-to lifestyle hub for DIYs, beauty tips, recipes, home inspiration and more! © 2024 Diply