Discovery Inc. confirmed in a statement that 64-year-old daredevil “Mad” Mike Hughes was killed practicing a stunt. The stunt was scheduled to be performed for an upcoming television show named “Homemade Astronauts” which is scheduled for a debut later in the year.
The homemade rocket made by Hughes was a part of his dream. The Science Channel was there to document his journey.
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You may know Hughes from his homemade rockets and his argument for his belief that the earth is flat. It is this belief that has encouraged him to take part in his vertical endeavors.
In 2018, Hughes successfully launched 1,875 feet in the air above the Mojave Desert. The rocket he used in that launch was built in his garage.
His landing in that particular launch was softened by the deployment of a parachute.
In a video released on social media from Saturday, February 22, shows the parachute trailing behind after the launch occurred.
The accident that occurred on Saturday happened around 1:52 p.m.
The rocket launch on Saturday happened on private property in the area of Barstow. Based on what the spokesperson for the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office released, the individual died when the rocket crashed into the open desert.
Discovery released that the stunt Hughes performed on Saturday was billed as a part of a plan to raise money for another project. Hughes was planning on a launch that would go to the border of space in a vehicle that was a part rocket and part balloon.
At this time, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s aviation investigators are currently looking into the accident.
Discovery has not stated if they plan on using the footage of the accident in the release of the show later this year.