Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Man Believes Earth is Flat and Will Pilot a Rocket to Prove it

Man Believes Earth is Flat and Will Pilot a Rocket to Prove it

There are two camps of people on our planet: The "Flat Earthers," and the rest of us. Mike Hughes—or “Mad” Mike Hughes, as he prefers to be called, will be representing his community of "Flat Earthers" to prove his theory is correct by launching a homemade rocket over California's Mojave Desert on Saturday.


Hughes's ambitious $200,000 project includes a steam-powered rocket repurposed from various materials found in his garage and a mobile home purchased from Craig's list that will act as the launching ramp for his rickety rocket that will take him a distance of a mile at a velocity of 500 miles per hour before activating two parachutes.

https://www.facebook.com/madmikehughes/photos/a.1588340104551658.1073741830.672887546096923/1659890914063243/?type=3&theater

Hughes's rocket, labeled with the graphics of his sole sponsor: Research Flat Earth, will hurtle along historic Route 66 and over the Ghost Town of Amboy - which boasts a population of four.

The 61-year-old limo driver will prepare to launch himself by boiling 70 gallons of water in a stainless steel tank before his roughly 2 p.m. departure.

"I don't believe in science," he confidently told the AP, poised to discredit the likes of government agencies, astronauts, and even Elon Musk.

“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.

I’m a walking reality show.

Giphy

The haphazard experiment will be a prelude to his eventual goal of building a rocket that will launch him into space for a better view of the flat world he lives in. He calls that next generation vehicle his "Rockoon," which will lift him into the atmosphere via gas-air balloon where it will then be separated and ignited to blast him the rest of the way.

https://www.facebook.com/madmikehughes/photos/rpp.672887546096923/672900022762342/?type=3&theater

You can't criticize him being a big dreamer. However, his dreams need some tweaking. The man has big ambitions and strives for serious attention. “I want to inspire others — and you have to do something incredible to get anybody’s attention,” he said.

He certainly got some attention for a similar stunt back in 2014. His previously airborne mission took place from a private property in Arizona, but the expedition went up in smoke when he crash-landed after traveling a distance of 1,374 feet. He barely survived from a parachute that had a few holes in it. Hopefully, his latest rocket will be patched suitably well for his upcoming mission.

Those not in his camp predict Hughes's experiment will not soar to new heights.

Some are ready to witness a demonstration of Darwinism on Saturday.

The mockery got a little mean-spirited.

A voice of reason hopes for no fatalities.

His next mission, should he come out of this one unscathed, will be to run for Governor in the state of California. As mentioned earlier, you can't criticize a man with big dreams.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

H/T - newsweek, ap, twitter, facebook

More from News/science

A birthday cake with number 4 and number zero candles on top of it.
a red velvet birthday cake with white frosting

People Over 40 Reveal Which Physical Changes They Weren't Prepared For

Aging is a funny and unpredictable thing.

While many children dread the thought of growing up, others can't wait to become grown-ups, and not be beholden to school and homework, and living in their own house, under their own rules.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Chris Whipple; Susie Wiles
CNN; Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

'Vanity Fair' Reporter Has Mic Drop Response After White House Claims Awkward Interview Was 'Out Of Context'

Vanity Fair writer Chris Whipple defended his recent profile on Chief of Staff Susie Wiles after the White House claimed the statements of Trump administration officials were taken "out of context."

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt made that claim, which CNN host Anderson Cooper, in his interview with Whipple, highlighted during their conversation.

Keep ReadingShow less
ride sign saying "chaos"
Nick Page on Unsplash

People Describe The Most Insane Event They've Ever Witnessed

Chaos is, according to the lexicographers at Oxford, a "state of complete disorder and confusion."

Humans find chaos entertaining to watch—hence the popularity of so-called reality TV—but not as much fun to be in the thick of. People may love the moment a "Real Housewife" flips a table, but would be less thrilled if a family member did it during dinner.

Keep ReadingShow less
JD Vance and Karoline Leavitt
Hu Yousong/Xinhua via Getty Images

Trump Administration Dragged Over 'Sexy' Photoshoot For Damning 'Vanity Fair' Article

Vanity Fair has attracted significant attention this week after inviting Vice President JD Vance, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, among other Trump officials, for a photoshoot ahead of the publication's profile on Chief of Staff Susie Wiles—not realizing just how brutal the two-part article would be.

The profile takes an unusually intimate look at Wiles, a veteran political operative long known for projecting unwavering loyalty to her boss.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kim Kardashian
Aeon/GC Images via Getty Images

Kim Kardashian Mocked For Beige 'Ozempic Santa' In NYC Skims Store—And This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things

Santa Claus has survived centuries of tradition, but he was no match for beige, shapewear, or Kim Kardashian. A holiday TikTok posted last Monday to the SKIMS account sparked widespread mockery after showing Santa Claus visiting the brand’s New York City flagship store in a look that was unmistakably on-brand.

Gone was the iconic red velvet suit. In its place was a muted beige ensemble that looked less North Pole and more minimalist showroom chic.

Keep ReadingShow less