Create a free family tree for yourself or for Michael Hughes and we'll search for valuable new information for you. The project sounded insanely sketchy. So they started cutting away metal to provide enough clearance. But, on the 24th of March 2018, he was successful in reaching the height of 1,875 feet and had a hard landing in the Mojave desert. His launch was reportedly filmed as part of Homemade Astronauts, a new TV series about amateur rocket makers. This time around, Mike had generated buzz by claiming that he believed the Earth was flat, and he raised money by spinning the flight as an experiment to prove it. Although a public promoter of the flat Earth model, following his death his public relations representative said that Hughes had only used flat Earth as a PR stunt to acquire funding for his rockets. Daredevil, Is Killed in Rocket Crash", "NEWS: 'Flat Earth' Daredevil Dies in Homemade Rocket Stunt", "Death Valley Girls Share Video for "(One Less Thing) Before I Die", "Death Valley Girls - "(One Less Thing) Before I Die" Video", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mike_Hughes_(daredevil)&oldid=1134002496, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 16 January 2023, at 14:50. Also, after a visual inspection, other members of the crew were convinced that the rocket was going to clip the frame of the launch rig on the way up. As freelance journalist Justin Chapman told NPR, the goal of such expeditions was not so much to prove that the earth was flat, as it was to bring attention to the Flat Earth cause. (A representative for Hughes also confirmed this in a statement to BuzzFeed, saying he did not actually believe in the theory and that we used flat Earth as a PR stunt. So the carnival headed back to Amboy last summer. Mike, along with Waldo Strakes, built a homemade steam-powered rocket whose intention was to fly 5000 feet in the year. This Christmas, Its Firmageddon as Climate Change Hits Oregon, More than a million acres of state forest contain trees that have succumbed to stressors exacerbated by a multiyear drought, A New Computer Proof Blows Up Centuries-Old Fluid Equations. He had a lot of time to surf YouTube and he went down the YouTube rabbit hole and developed some weird beliefs., In 2018, Hughes successfully launched himself in a rocket nearly 1,900 feet in the air and landed in the Mojave Desert near Amboy, Calif., a feat captured on camera for Rocketman., When we were filming it, we were thinking to ourselves, Wow, this is dangerous, Brusseau said. Yeah, I guess. Yet Hughes became one of the faces of the Flat Earth cause regardless, garnering widespread media attention and appearing in a segment on the Comedy Central showTosh.0. He built his first manned rocket in 2014 a contraption he called the X-2 SkyLimo and managed to launch himself more than 1,300 feet over Winkelman, Ariz., he told the Associated Press. Like any daredevil, I think theyre driven by a sense of that need to do something incredible but also to risk their life, said Toby Brusseau, who directed Rocketman, a 2019 documentary about Hughes. In November 2017, Mike claimed to give verbal permission from the Bureau of Land Management, which was approved, whereas the Federal Aviation Administration kept is pending approval. The Science Channels decision to award coverage to someone known for espousing decidedly unscientific views not to mention allowing him to participate in a wildly dangerous experiment was widely lambasted on social media in the wake of the news of his death. Daredevil and Amateur rocket-engineer, Mike Hughes died aged 64 on the 22nd of February 2020. Assorted flat-Earthers and conspiracy theorists. Videos of the launch show that his parachute opened and detached from the rocket almost instantly, dooming Hughes to a high-velocity impact on the desert floor shortly after that. In 2012, I wrote a story about the car he was building in an effort to break the sound barrier. It was always his dream to do this launch, and Science Channel was there to chronicle his journey. They did not respond to a follow-up question regarding the ethics of chronicling said journey, given the major risks involved and the unscientific nature of Flat Earth conspiracy theories. 2023 Cond Nast. In 2017, Mike and Waldo trucked a new rocket deep into the Mojave Desert to a barren stretch of land near the tiny Route 66 outpost of Amboy. MIKE, THROW THE GODDAMNED CHUTE!. He must have realized that the launch was a fools play, pulling to an inside straight, but it was the only play he had. Its not clear if he was successful. Hughes defiantly stated that the dispute would not stop him from flying: "I'm a daredevil. Released in August 2019, this 94-minute documentary, co-directed by Toby Brusseau and Michael Linn, starred Mike Hughes, Waldo Sykes, Patrick Marchese. Hughes died in a rocket crash on February 22, 2020. The canopies shredded. In contrast with a sober NASA launch vehicle, it sported a jaunty purple, orange, and white paint job and signage from sponsors, including a chain of Mexican chicken restaurants, an online dating app (Dating isnt rocket science), and companies offering crane, welding, and window-tinting services. Social media platforms like YouTube have also been criticized for serving as a platform for those espousing Flat Earth views, a criticism that last year it addressed by tweaking its algorithm to prevent from recommending such content to users. I stayed away from the crew as the water pressure rose. There was no stopping him, Linn said. Not because I designed or built the rocket, and not because I belted him into the cockpit. The idea was to carry Mike roughly 20 miles aloft in a gargantuan helium balloon before igniting the rocketa Cold War-era launch system known as a rockoon. We all understood that the chances of success were minimal. But the ballute alone would cost $300,000, and $2.8 million was budgeted for top-shelf engineering and meteorological support. The homebrew rocket maker had dreams of fame and fortune. Rain was in the forecast, but the morning dawned sunny and brisk. Why didnt we turn away? This earned him a speaking spot at the 2018 Flat Earth International Conference (FEIC) in Denver. The documentary has a happy ending, one that the filmmakers wish translated to real life. When the superheated water is released, it passes through a nozzle at the base of the fuselage and turns to steam, producing the thrust necessary to launch the rocket. I talked to a couple from Fountain Valley whose sons had met Waldo and Mike, and I hung for a bit with a pair of local firefighters whod seen something about the launch on social media. But it occurred to me that if Hughes were to die in a launch, those promoting the flat-earth movement would have at least some blood on their hands. He died following his steam-powered rocket crash-landing an open desert in Barstow, California. Why the Search for Life in Space Starts With Ancient Earth. He Jiankui discusses his plans for finding cures for devastating genetic diseases. The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time Mike Hughes was born in 1955. Well, what did we expect? They were really going to light the candle. I put my trust in Waldos assessment of Mike: Hes got a lucky star. The series was scheduled to air on the US Science Channel. Despite the utter lack of evidence surrounding the Flat Earth theory and intense criticism from scientists like Neil deGrasse Tyson, the Flat Earth theory has gained traction in recent years (one 2018 poll found that two percent of more than 10,000 respondents harbored such views), and has been promoted by such high-profile figures as Kyrie Irving and musician B.o.B. I felt the hollow ache of nervous anticipation as Mike strapped on his helmet and climbed the stairs to the cockpit. Even if a company unknowingly manufactures faulty products that result in grave injury or death, they hold some responsibility. On February 22, Daredevil "Mad Mike" Hughes perished when his steam-engined rocket crashed in the Barstow, California desert. We couldnt see clearly how it had landed. Mike decided to undertake another steam-powered launch to generate publicity. According to a journal published in. WIRED may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. "[24][4][25][26], Hughes appeared in the music video for the Death Valley Girls' song "One Less Thing (Before I Die)". Released in August 2019, this 94-minute documentary, co-directed by Toby Brusseau and Michael Linn, starred Mike Hughes, Waldo Sykes, Patrick Marchese. They announced that Mike was dead on the spot after his rocket crashed in the open desert during their launch event. All Rights reserved. The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Office said, rocket crash off highway 247 in Barstow, California, on Saturday afternoon. On Saturday, February 22, Mike Hughes, aka "Mad" Mike Hughes, died in the crash of his homemade rocket. At the time of his death, he was under indictment for extortion, thanks to a scheme based on his theory that spelling a persons name entirely in capital letters entitled someone else to their entire estate (or something like that). I'm not much for authority or rules. Heres What Hes Doing Next. The launch was initially scheduled for last August but was moved several times due to technical difficulties. It took me two years to figure out how this works. mike hughes cause of death But who cared if somebody whod christened himself Mad Mike went 2,000 or 4,000 feet high in a homemade rocket that was just as likely to kill him as it was to get off the launch pad? He said that my suggestion was tantamount to auto manufacturers being responsible for car accidents. Finally, Waldo and several of Mikes friends began walking toward the wreckage. Then somebody muttered, You dont survive that., Although paramedics hustled to the crash, there was no official announcement. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, the launch of a homemade rocket gone awry, successfully launched himself in a rocket nearly 1,900 feet in the air, Im afraid for her life: Riverside CC womens coach harassed after Title IX suit, Want to solve climate change? A self-taught engineer, Hughes was also a staunch flat-earther. Cross-court! shell shout at the screen. How to Save Your Smartphones Battery Life. This story has been shared 114,809 times. But because I was there, ostensibly covering the event as news even though I knewlike nearly everybody else watching the launchthat it was a pointlessly stupid stunt. Mike Hughes started to gain the limelight after setting a Guinness world record holder for jumping 103-foot in a Lincoln Town Car stretch limo. The tension was growing, and so, it seemed to me, was the possibility of a last-minute mistake. He recovered after 3 days and put him in a walker for two weeks. Saturdays launch was to be Hughes highest yet; he was attempting to travel 5,000 feet into the air. Similarly, those who promote the flat-earth movement (primarily on the internet), particularly such stunts, bear some responsibility for Hughes death. Waldo Stakes at the August 2019 launch in Amboy, California. What did he expect? On Saturday, February 22, Mike Hughes, aka Mad Mike Hughes, died in the crash of his homemade rocket. Homepage / Uncategorized / mike hughes cause of death; mike hughes cause of death. When I raised this on a flat-earth discussion group after Hughes death, one flat-earther objected strenuously. Michael Hughes, popularly known as "Mad" Mike Hughes, was an American limousine driver, professed flat-Earther, and daredevil known for flying in self-built steam rockets. The reaction of the flat-earth community has been varied. Turns out that a pair of auxiliary chutes had blown off the rocket as it left the launch rail. Thanks for coming all the way out here. I remember speaking up only once. He shared a video on Twitter and said Mad Mike Hughes just launched himself in a self-made steam-powered rocket and crash landed. He, in turn, was fascinated by daredevils, from Evel Knievel to Annie Edson Taylor, the retired schoolteacher who plunged down Niagara Falls inside a barrel in 1901. But I knew a cant-miss story when I saw one. Death Cause. Grinning fiercely, Waldo told me, Im going to send this guy into space, and people are going to go, Two fucking hillbillies living in Apple Valley built a spaceship, promoted it themselves, hooked it to a balloon, and launched him into space.. In the end, he was too brave and tenacious for his own good. Rare Fugazi Live Footage Stitched Into New Movie to Screen One Night Only in Washington D.C. A$AP Rocky Wonders How to Break Violent Cycles in Hip-Hop on Tribute Single Same Problems', Adi Oasis Channels High Fashion and Euphoria in Video for Ovulation Anthem Multiply. He had previously scheduled his launch for 25 November 2017. However, Hughes seemed to love his day job and proudly turned his limo into a vehicle that could be mistaken for a Batmobile. He stated that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approved him to launch his rocket and he is awaiting approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. But I knew how badly things could go wrong. He authored the cartoon book, Whoops Airlines. Thats the way daredevils die.. Is the US Next? (Apparently, theyd been stolen by local meth heads.). #MadMike #MadMikeHughes pic.twitter.com/svtviTEi8f, Justin Chapman (@justindchapman) February 22, 2020, document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()), Lindsey Lagestee Wiki, Biography, Age, Family, Boyfriend, death Cause, caree. He planned to launch himself in a rocket in August 2019. Then, he planned to launch the rocket on the 10th of August 2019, which was postponed. A Philadelphia native, she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in medical anthropology and global health. It made him feel alive to do these types of stunts. Mad Mike Hughes Cause of Death: As a part of a stunt, Mike was attached with a homemade rocket which was launched but quickly it was crashed. Hughes death just reinforced my mantra meaning, what are you willing to do if you believe in something so much? Mark Sargent, a self-described Flat Earth recruiter who was featured in the 2018 Netflix documentary Behind the Curve, tells Rolling Stone. Mike wanted to build the rocket himself, he said. Mikes ground control crew radioed him to deploy one of the two backup parachutes installed on the rocket, but Mike never responded. Its not clear how strongly he held the conviction, or if he really believed it at all. No, I didnt kill Mike, but I was part of the ecosystem that exploited him, and thats on me. I think thats what hit us then and there: this is completely dangerous. Terms of Service apply. [8], At the time of his death, Hughes lived in Apple Valley, California. In 1974, he turned pro, and in 1979, he became the top Ice Speedway motorcycle racer in the U.S., the biography says. Waldo checked out the steam rocket Mike had built at a truck shop in Fontana. On February 22,Daredevil Mad Mike Hughes perishedwhen his steam-engined rocket crashed in the Barstow, California desert. Im sure that many other flat-earthers will continue to revere Hughes as one of their own as they mourn his death. Robbie Kneivel, who spent his life in the family business of defying death, passed away on Friday after a fight with pancreatic cancer By Laurenz Busch - January 13, 2023 Robbie Knievel, who. Yeah, for sure, absolutely it was. [9] [10] Hughes was buried in San Antonio , Texas , and all 40 of his Lions teammates attended his funeral, including head coach Joe Schmidt . Hughes spent his childhood in Oklahoma City. But that project, while far-fetched, had some legitimate merits, whereas this was purely a PR stunt. If hed succeeded, the flight would have been a scene in my story and a segment in the reality-TV show. For a sickening moment, I thought it might angle disastrously sideways, like a ballistic missile. Flat Earth Community Undeterred by Death of Mad Mike Hughes, Violated, Confused, and Incredibly Disrespected: Another Woman Accuses Andrew Callaghan of Sexual Misconduct, Andrew Callaghan, Popular Host of All Gas No Brakes and Channel 5, Accused of Sexual Misconduct, Mormon Church Sent Patients to Sex Therapist Even After One Accused Him of Abuse. Re: Death of Mike Hughes Reply #31 on: March 02, 2020, 12:57:32 PM Yes, publically he was a flat earth believer, however behind the scenes there is a lot of evidence to suggest he wasn't, and just slapped the sticker on because then he gets media attention. He set a Guinness world record in 2002 when he jumped 103 foot in a Lincoln Town Car stretch limo. Chapmans unfortunate footage captures the first parachute disconnecting shortlyafter the rocket began its ascent and then freefalling. Mike's flight suit hung alongside a render of the space vehicle he and Waldo were planning to build. Help us to update this page. Others were more somber, stating that his passing was proof of the dangers of believing wholeheartedly in dangerous anti-scientific beliefs. As he knew how to keep his professional and personal life maintained. Nevertheless, Mike Hughess funeral hasnt been revealed yet. Were going to have to bury him, Waldo said. Friends and family. And yet, as I stood among the sagebrush outside Barstow, gazing at the progress of a tiny white speck against the blue sky, I found myself chanting commands to someone who I knew couldnt hear me. I didnt join them. However, he holds the American nationality and white ethnical background. 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