Man plans to launch himself in rocket over Amboy on Saturday

A self-taught rocket scientist plans to launch his steam-powered creation — with him inside — over the Route 66 hamlet of Amboy, California, between 2 and 3 p.m. Saturday.

According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, “Mad” Mike Hughes built his rocket in his garage from salvaged parts and about $20,000 of his own money.

The newspaper reported:

His first test of the rocket will also be the launch date — Saturday, when he straps into his homemade contraption and attempts to hurtle over the ghost town of Amboy, Calif. He will travel about a mile at a speed of roughly 500 mph.
“If you’re not scared to death, you’re an idiot,” Hughes said. “It’s scary as hell, but none of us are getting out of this world alive. I like to do extraordinary things that no one else can do, and no one in the history of mankind has designed, built and launched himself in his own rocket.
“I’m a walking reality show.”

Hughes estimates he will go about a mile and 1,800 feet in elevation before pulling two parachutes to float him back to earth safely. The launch will be televised on his YouTube channel, but he’s asking fans to keep a distance away for safety reasons.

One of Hughes’ main sponsors for Saturday’s bid is Research Flat Earth. He told Sky News he also believes the Earth is flat.

“I don’t believe in science,” he said.

“I know about aerodynamics and fluid dynamics and how things move through the area, about the certain size of rocket nozzles, and thrust. But that’s not science, that’s just a formula.

“There’s no difference between science and science fiction.”

This isn’t the first time he’s thrown himself into the skies. His last attempt in Arizona in 2014 went for more than 1,300 feet. He needed three days to recover because of the effect of the G-forces.

Here’s a short video of the Arizona launch:

Hughes built the new rocket in Apple Valley, California, another Route 66 town in the high desert.

Amboy owner Albert Okura gave permission for the rocket launch. It will take place on an air strip in the village. He told the New Mexican:

“It is absolutely the most wacky promotional proposal I have had since I purchased the entire town in 2005,” said Okura, who’s also the founder of the Juan Pollo restaurant chain. “He is a true daredevil and I want to be part of it.”

Okura, who owns the Juan Pollo restaurant chain of Southern California, also is sponsoring the event. He bought the town of Amboy — most famous for its historic Roy’s restaurant, gas station and motel — in 2005. Roy’s motel remains closed, but the gas station has reopened and the restaurant is serving as a convenience store.

Presuming he emerges unscathed from the launch, Hughes says he’ll run for governor of California.

(Image of “Mad” Mike Hughes and his rocket via Facebook)

4 thoughts on “Man plans to launch himself in rocket over Amboy on Saturday

  1. Wonder if the parachutes have to be pulled manually. He is at risk of passing out. Wish him well and hope that he brings positive attention to Route 66 and Amboy without any sad misfortune.

  2. I recall seeing Evel Knievel come to grief way back, perhaps in the 1980s, at the old Wembley Stadium in London. At least Mike Hughes will not have so big a group of spectators. As for “science”, it is just another word for knowledge.

    Back in 1830 another Rocket – Robert Stephenson’s steam railway locomotive – killed a man on its most famous first public outing. Beware,Mike.

    I would like to know how his rocket generates its steam, how it stores it and at what pressure. Also how the steam is released instantly to provide sufficient thrust for lift-off and for the length of flight planned. Will the parachutes support just Mike or the rocket as well? Having done solo parachuting, I have some idea of the size of ‘chutes needed for a given weight.

    Amboy sounds the right place for the flight. Mike is obviously still a boy at heart.

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