# Flat-Earther builds a rocket **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 22, 2017, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-earther-builds-a-rocket/802427 "2017-11-22T18:00:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2017, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-earther-builds-a-rocket/802427/41 "2017-11-23T18:52:52Z")
I am curious if he has given thought about a soft landing? A flat earth can be very hard! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2017, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-earther-builds-a-rocket/802427/42 "2017-11-23T18:53:17Z")
> [@Ale](#): > > Most likely a high grade hydrogen peroxide rocket, the H2O2 passes through a catalyst mesh, usually Platinum AFAIK, and decomposes into steam at high temperature. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/self-taught-rocket-scientist-plans-to-launch-over-ghost-town/2017/11/20/0caa953e-cdcd-11e7-a87b-47f14b73162a\_story.html?utm\_term=.606d1f7bfbdd](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/self-taught-rocket-scientist-plans-to-launch-over-ghost-town/2017/11/20/0caa953e-cdcd-11e7-a87b-47f14b73162a_story.html?utm_term=.606d1f7bfbdd) > [@](#): > > On the morning of the launch, Hughes will heat about 70 gallons of water in a stainless steel tank and then blast off between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. He plans to go about a mile — reaching an altitude of about 1,800 feet — before pulling two parachutes. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2017, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-earther-builds-a-rocket/802427/43 "2017-11-23T22:59:14Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > This amuses me a lot. I’m trying to imagine what element of flat-earthist theory is controversial enough for factioning. Are there orthodox flat\_earthers and reform flat\_Earthers? There were several worthy quips in response to this post; I just wanted to let you know that I appreciated it on its own merit. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2017, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-earther-builds-a-rocket/802427/44 "2017-11-26T03:45:30Z")
Oh dear. [Launch postponed.](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/11/25/flat-earther-postpones-steam-powered-rocket-flight-motorhomelaunchpad/) > [@](#): > > At t-minus three days the limo driver from California was told he did not have the necessary permissions for his expedition. There was further disaster as he set off for the ghost town selected for the launch. > > “Plus when we were actually ready to leave and go to Amboy the motorhome-slash-rocket launcher broke down in the driveway,” he said in a Youtube announcement. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2017, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-earther-builds-a-rocket/802427/45 "2017-11-26T05:13:49Z")
He has [his own domain](http://www.madmikehughes.com), which appears to consist of a single page. His launch was not open to the public, but if it had happened, you could have watched it on streaming PPV. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2017, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-earther-builds-a-rocket/802427/46 "2017-11-26T16:04:36Z")
The FAA takes a dim view of machines of any machine which leaves the ground and lacks proper licensing. There are small carve-outs for toy drones and RC models and slightly larger carve-outs for bigger drones, model rockets, etc. Rockets of that scale are fully regulated. Which apparently genius-boy hadn’t realized. Yet again the Feds are harshing his mellow. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2017, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-earther-builds-a-rocket/802427/47 "2017-11-26T16:20:54Z")
I love how he’s driving around in a “motorhome/rocketlauncher”. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2017, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-earther-builds-a-rocket/802427/48 "2017-11-26T16:38:49Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > The FAA takes a dim view of machines of any machine which leaves the ground and lacks proper licensing. There are small carve-outs for toy drones and RC models and slightly larger carve-outs for bigger drones, model rockets, etc. > > Rockets of that scale are fully regulated. Which apparently genius-boy hadn’t realized. Yet again the Feds are harshing his mellow. [Experimental Permits for Reusable Suborbital Rockets](https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/licenses_permits/sub_orbital_rockets/), with links to [Final Rule - Experimental Permits for Reusable Suborbital Rockets (PDF), April 6, 2007](https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/licenses_permits/sub_orbital_rockets/newregs/media/EP_FR.pdf) and [14 CFR Chapter III Part 440 (PDF) - Commercial Space Transportation Financial Responsibility Requirements for Licensed Launch Activities](https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/licenses_permits/media/part440.pdf). PDF files are TL/DR, but they’re there if anyone wants to delve into them. There may be other regulations out there regarding amateur-built manned rockets, but this is the first thing I found. ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2017, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-earther-builds-a-rocket/802427/49 "2017-11-26T17:04:48Z")
I feel rather guilty hoping this guy will launch when it will most likely be a suicide. And a pointless one at that. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2017, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-earther-builds-a-rocket/802427/50 "2017-11-26T17:49:34Z")
Apparently he’s tried something like this before, with a smaller vehicle, with major injuries. Yes, let’s hope stuff keeps coming up that keeps him from finishing the job this time. Is it wrong for me to think of “The Wreck of the Old 97”? _He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle, Scalded to death by the steam._ ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2017, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-earther-builds-a-rocket/802427/51 "2017-11-26T18:54:19Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Apparently he’s tried something like this before, with a smaller vehicle, with major injuries. Yes, let’s hope stuff keeps coming up that keeps him from finishing the job this time. > > Is it wrong for me to think of “The Wreck of the Old 97”? > > _He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle, > Scalded to death by the steam._ “The Wreck of the Crash of the Easthill Mining Disaster” [http://www.ovff.org/pegasus/songs/mining-disaster.html](http://www.ovff.org/pegasus/songs/mining-disaster.html) "Though your train’s engineer may be valiant and skilled If your train hits a steamship, you’re bound to be killed Yet this terrible wreck would have caused much less fuss If the train had avoided that yellow school bus " ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2017, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-earther-builds-a-rocket/802427/52 "2017-11-26T20:17:17Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > The FAA takes a dim view of machines of any machine which leaves the ground and lacks proper licensing. There are small carve-outs for toy drones and RC models and slightly larger carve-outs for bigger drones, model rockets, etc. > > Rockets of that scale are fully regulated. Which apparently genius-boy hadn’t realized. Yet again the Feds are harshing his mellow. True, but the FAA seems confident that “machine which leaves the ground” is not going to apply here, as they haven’t caused our genius any problems so far. He has implicit FAA approval in the same way that my living room couch is FAA certified, in the sense that the FAA has no problem with it. His regulatory problem appears to be with the Bureau of Land Management, perhaps invoking the “morons who might set something on fire” clause. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-earther-builds-a-rocket/802427/53 "2018-01-25T03:52:30Z")
Bumping the thread. He’s apparently found private property near the original beach and is [planning to launch next Saturday](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2018/01/24/can-this-flat-earthers-long-delayed-rocket-launch-be-saved-we-may-soon-find-out/?utm_term=.cca0a7dfc176) (sounds like he means the weekend of Feb 4, but I’m unsure). He hopes this will prompt people to fund “Phase 2”, which includes a high-altitude balloon and a spacesuit. The public is not allowed to attend (private property), but I bet there’ll be folks nearby in an attempt to verify that he actually is taking off. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-earther-builds-a-rocket/802427/54 "2018-01-25T04:49:27Z")
He’s planning to rocket himself up 52 miles now? At Flight Level 2745, that clearly well into Class Alpha territory. Hope he calls Air Traffic Control for clearance first! ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-earther-builds-a-rocket/802427/55 "2018-01-25T07:06:09Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > He’s planning to rocket himself up 52 miles now? At Flight Level 2745, that clearly well into Class Alpha territory. Hope he calls Air Traffic Control for clearance first! I’m kinda wondering about that. The 52-mile flight is the one with the hot air balloon and spacesuit (a.k.a., Phase 2). Also a rocket pack, and it sounds as if he plans to use that to launch the balloon. How do you launch a hot air balloon with a rocket pack? At least he’s not using steam, as he is with the launch next week. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-earther-builds-a-rocket/802427/56 "2018-01-25T08:45:09Z")
Wait, so he’s planning to get to 1800 feet? How high do commercial airliners fly? Don’t they get to 40,000 feet or so? Wouldn’t it be cheaper and safer to just buy a ticket? Maybe visit Hong Kong or Australia? ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2018, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-earther-builds-a-rocket/802427/57 "2018-02-06T02:17:46Z")
Latest launch was delayed for [technical reasons](https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/02/05/flat_earther_rocketeer_failure). I guess we can cut him a little slack on that. Even NASA occasionally delays launches for those. According to that article, he has a lawsuit against the governor of California for alleged fraud. Anyone know the details of that? ---
**Author:** ![milquetoast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@milquetoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/milquetoast)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-earther-builds-a-rocket/802427/58 "2018-03-25T15:23:06Z")
He finally did it: [Flat-Earther blasts off into California sky in home-made steam rocket ](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/03/25/flat-earther-blasts-california-sky-homemade-steam-powered-rocket/) [with video] He reached 1875 ft and survived. But he brought back no evidence that “the earth is shaped like a frisbee”. ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-earther-builds-a-rocket/802427/59 "2018-03-25T15:37:17Z")
Wow, I’m impressed he survived that. Good on him. I still think he’s an idiot, but he’s got some genuine “makers” chops, and he scammed the flat earthers out of a bunch of money, so that’s a bonus. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-earther-builds-a-rocket/802427/60 "2018-03-25T15:47:47Z")
I’m amazed the guy didn’t kill himself. But, I do have to applaud him for building a rocket by himself, with no formal training, and getting to 1,875 feet, all for $20,000. This is all an elaborate suicide attempt. But I commend his DIY skills. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-earther-builds-a-rocket/802427.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-earther-builds-a-rocket/802427.md?page=4)