'Mad' Mike Hughes, Self-Taught Scientist Launches Himself in a Rocket and Lands Back Safe, Watch Video

Anything is possible if you want to make it happen and truly dedicate yourself towards it. The recent example of rocket-scientist Mike Hughes also called the 'Mad' Mike is a proof. Mike Hughes made his self-made rocket, launched himself and even landed back safe. He had pledged he would go up and managed to do so, landing back in one piece too. The rocket man propelled himself for 1,875 feet in the air on Saturday, March 24 from Amboy in California. He landed in Mojave Desert with a little dizzy feeling and his vessel little cracked up.

"I'm tired of people saying I chickened out and didn't build a rocket. I'm tired of that stuff. I manned up and did it," he was quoted to the Associated Press. The launch took place in a desert town was actually in planning since a long time. The original schedule for the flight was in November, but there were a lot of logistical and mechanical hindrances. For making his rocket, the 61-year old converted a mobile home into a ramp and modified it for the launch. He made it angular for the launch and it would not fall back on the ground. He had worked on it for months in his garage, till it saw the flight on Saturday.

The day too could have been postponed since the winds were too much. The rocket was losing steam. Mike was up for this challenge too. He was advised to keep it charging but he refused. The rocket launched up and it was at an estimated speed of 350 miles per hour. Hughes was dropping also fast, he landed with a thud and the rocket's nose broke in two places. But it was designed itself in such a manner.

See the full launch video of Mad Mike Hughes!

The rocket landed 1500 feet from where it was launched. Hughes sought permission to make his launch on the land owned by Albert Okura. Okura too was present at the time of the launch. Now Mike has branded the place as 'Rocket Town.'

Mad Mike Hughes has been criticised by many before. In fact, he drew comparisons to Wile E. Coyote, the cartoon character. He had got a lot of negative reaction for his plans and he was labelled a crackpot for launching a home-made rocket contraption. "I hope he doesn't blow something up,'' retired NASA astronaut Jerry Linenger said as Hughes caught the attention of people everywhere. He also mentioned that rocketry is not as easy as it looks.

Mike's next plans are to build a "Rockoon,'' a rocket that is carried into the atmosphere by a gas-filled balloon. It will be then separated from the balloon and lit. This rocket would take Hughes about 68 miles up. The rocket scientist also holds the belief of 'Earth being flat.'

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 25, 2018 05:04 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).