Daredevil Mad Mike Hughes died going flat out to prove the Earth was not round in his homemade rocket.
Mad Mike was killed when his launch went wrong, and he smashed into the desert near his home in Barstow, California.
He believed the world was flat and wanted to prove everyone who thought otherwise wrong by flying to the edge of space and seeing for himself.
Unfortunately, his mission failed after his rocket was damaged during the launch.
Mad Mike, aged 64 years old, was planning to reach a height of 5,000 feet.
Shoestring budget
A camera crew recording his exploits for US TV’s Science Channel captured the tragic event on video.
The programme was looking at self-declared astronauts going into space on homemade rockets and shoestring budget.
The video shows one a parachute on the rocket deploying on take-off.
“Mad Mike Hughes tragically passed away today during an attempt to launch his homemade rocket. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends during this difficult time. It was always his dream to do this launch and Science Channel was there to chronicle his journey,” the programme makers Tweeted.
Scrapyard space craft
The rocket was put together from parts gathered from scrap yards and was powered by steam pumped under pressure. The space craft cost around £14,000.
Mad Mike did fly in his rocket in March 2019, crashing back to Earth again from 1,870 feet, but his parachute to soften the landing failed to deploy and he plunged into the desert injuring his back.
“”Am I glad I did it? Yeah, I guess. I’ll feel it in the morning. I won’t be able to get out of bed. At least I can go home and have dinner and see my cats tonight,” he said after the flight.
“This thing wants to kill you 10 different ways. This thing will kill you in a heartbeat.”