Mike Hughes (daredevil) facts for kids

Michael Hughes (born February 9, 1956 – died February 22, 2020) was an American daredevil. People knew him as "Mad" Mike Hughes. He was famous for building and flying his own steam-powered rockets. He also said he believed the Earth was flat.

Mike died during a rocket launch in 2020. This event was being filmed for a TV show. After his death, his public relations person said that Mike only pretended to believe in a flat Earth. This was a way to get money and attention for his rocket projects.

About Mike Hughes

Mike Hughes grew up in Oklahoma City. When he was young, he became very interested in motorcycle racing.

In 2002, Mike set a Guinness World Record. He jumped 103-foot (31 m) in a Lincoln Town Car stretch limousine. He lived in Apple Valley, California at the time of his death.

Mike's Rocket Flights

Mike Hughes was known for building and flying his own rockets. These rockets were powered by steam. He wanted to fly high enough to see the Earth from space.

First Rocket Launch in 2014

Mike built his first rocket that could carry a person in 2014. On January 30, 2014, he flew 1,374 feet (419 m) high. This flight happened over Winkelman, Arizona. The flight lasted just over one minute.

After landing, Mike was hurt and needed three days to recover. He said he had to use a walker for two weeks. Some people doubted if he was actually inside the rocket during this flight.

Flat-Earth Fundraising and Launches

In 2016, Mike tried to raise money for a new rocket. This first attempt did not get much money. Later that year, he said he believed the Earth was flat. This idea helped him get more support.

The flat-Earth community helped him raise more money. He reached his goal of $7,875. Mike said he wanted to make many rocket trips. His biggest goal was to fly into outer space. He hoped to take a picture of the Earth as a flat disc.

Challenges with Launch Permissions

Mike planned to launch a rocket in November 2017. He said he had permission from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). But the BLM said they had no record of talking to him. They were worried about his planned launch.

Mike then moved his launch site to private land. He moved it about 4 miles (6 km) away. Even on private land, the BLM said he still needed permits. Mike said he was a daredevil and would not let rules stop him.

The 2018 Rocket Launch

Mike's rocket was designed to go very fast. It was meant to reach speeds of 500 mph (800 km/h). He knew flying rockets was risky. He once told the Associated Press, "It's scary as hell. But none of us are getting out of this world alive."

On February 3, 2018, Mike tried another launch. But the rocket's steam release did not work. The launch had to be stopped.

A successful launch finally happened on March 24, 2018. Mike reached a height of 1,875 feet (572 m). He had a hard landing in the Mojave Desert. The rocket launched at a sharp angle. This was to make sure it did not fall on public land. It landed about 1,500 feet (460 m) from where it took off. Mike's team said the rocket reached 350 mph (560 km/h). Mike was not seriously hurt from this landing.

Planned 2019 Launch

Mike planned another rocket launch for August 10, 2019. But mechanical problems caused delays. The launch was postponed again the next weekend. Mike also had to be treated for heat exhaustion.

2020 Launch and Mike's Death

On February 22, 2020, Mike Hughes died. This happened near Barstow, California. He was flying a rocket he built with his friend Waldo Stakes. During the launch, the rocket's parachute seemed to open too early. It then detached from the rocket.

A journalist watching the launch said the rocket hit the launch equipment. This might have torn the parachutes. This launch was being filmed for a Science Channel TV show called Homemade Astronauts. Mike was going to be a star in the show.

After Mike's death, his public relations person, Darren Shuster, spoke out. He said, "We used flat Earth as a PR stunt... Flat Earth allowed us to get so much publicity that we kept going! I know he didn’t believe in flat Earth and it was a schtick."

See also

• Amateur rocketry
• Homebuilt aircraft
• List of inventors killed by their own inventions
• Myth of the flat Earth