If you run out of topics during the Thanksgiving weekend, this story is definitely worth telling. You probably have already heard about the “Flat-Earth Society” which claims that our planet is flat, as the name suggests, and that everything concerning the achievements of science until now is fake. Well, one of the enthusiasts of this group wants to launch himself to prove that the Earth is flat. The man wants to launch himself 1,800 feet above California’s Mojave Desert in a rocket he built on his own, this Saturday, Nov. 25, according to the Associated Press.
Mike Hughes, a 61-year-old limo driver built his own rocket and a ramp that is going to support his launch, and has spent about $20,000 to make it, AP reports. If everything goes smoothly, the acceleration of the contraption will get to a top speed of 500 mph, while the rocket will travel around 1 mile away from the position where it will be launched, to a town called Amboy. Mike Hughes will use a parachute to land safely.
According to AP, Hughes believes in the Flat Earth Society’s theory that our planet is indeed flat. In fact, the chief sponsor of the rocket Hughes will use to launch himself is a group named Research Flat Earth. Although launching himself won’t get Mike high enough for him to get any clue as to our planet’s shape, “Mad” Mike, plans to launch himself higher in the future, (if he lives through this launch). Maybe Mike wants to launch himself first before he attempts to try his “rockoon” project.
Mike and his collaborator have talked about building a rocket, which can launch after it has been carried aloft by a balloon, “rockoon”. The rocket could get to an altitude of 68 miles with the balloon, then ignite the rocket, according to the AP. Considering that Hughes doesn’t want to realize the truth about our planet’s shape, Saturday’s launch is probably going to make most of you rather skeptical, especially about the “rockoon” project if it ever comes to life.
“I don’t believe in science,” he told AP. “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 is no difference between science and science fiction.”
It sounds crazy enough, and you can read the entire report on AP here. By the way, what do you think about this story? Let us know in the comments!
