Individual Embarking on Self-Built Spacecraft to Demonstrate Earth's Flatness Claims
In the vast expanse of the Mojave Desert, a remarkable event is set to take place this Saturday. 61-year-old Mike Hughes, a self-taught rocketeer, will launch a homemade steam-powered rocket 1,800 feet into the air, reaching speeds of approximately 500 mph.
Hughes' unconventional space program, based in his Apple Valley, California workshop that resembles a mad scientist's laboratory, faces challenges that SpaceX and Blue Origin don't. With extreme budget constraints and a lack of institutional support, Hughes' mission is a testament to human ingenuity and determination.
The propulsion for the rocket is steam power generated by heating water to extreme temperatures. This steam-powered rocket is the result of Hughes' unparalleled engineering skills and resourcefulness. However, rocket experts have pointed out numerous potential failure points, including the steam chamber rupturing under pressure, the trajectory becoming unstable, the parachute system malfunctioning, or the landing impact proving fatal even if everything else works perfectly.
Hughes' mission is far more ambitious than just a high-altitude flight. He aims to expose what he considers humanity's greatest deception, the round Earth theory. His planned launch has generated substantial media attention, with reactions ranging from amusement to concern for his safety.
The launch approaches, and whether it succeeds or fails, it will demonstrate the lengths to which belief can propel human ingenuity and courage - for better or worse. If Hughes' rocket soars over the Mojave Desert as planned, it will travel a distance of one mile (1.6 km) across the desert. The landing depends entirely on parachutes deploying at the right moment.
Hughes' rocket quest began long before his flat-Earth conversion and was initially a populist challenge to billionaire aerospace entrepreneurs. He previously flew a homemade rocket in 2014, setting a Guinness World Record for a limousine jump. However, an earlier flight left Hughes in a walker for two weeks.
Despite the risks, Hughes has promised his backers an even more ambitious launch within the next year, one that would supposedly take him into "the space above the disc." This democratization of space is a reflection of how space technology is becoming more accessible.
The power of community funding is demonstrated by Hughes finding financial backing from a community united by shared beliefs. After struggling to fund his rocketry dreams, Hughes found support by embracing flat-Earth theory. Psychologists who study conspiracy beliefs point to several factors that might explain Hughes' mission, including a sense of special knowledge, a sense of meaning and community, and distrust toward authority and institutions.
However, local authorities have expressed concerns about safety and permitting issues. The target altitude for Mike Hughes' rocket launch is 1,800 feet (549 meters). While this altitude is far too low to observe Earth's curvature in a meaningful way, Hughes believes it will provide evidence for a flat Earth. Dr. Elliot Kramer, an aerospace engineer not affiliated with Hughes' project, explains that even if Hughes' launch succeeds perfectly, it won't actually provide evidence for a flat Earth.
Despite the controversy surrounding his mission, Hughes' courage and determination are undeniable. His story serves as a reminder of the human desire for meaningful action, as shown by Hughes' determination to physically test his theories rather than merely discuss them online. Whether Hughes' rocket launch succeeds or fails, it will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the world of space exploration.
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