Self-taught rocket scientist plans launch to test flat Earth theory

'Mad' Mike Hughes, 61, plans to reach an altitude of 1,800ft over California in his home-made steam-powered rocket

Science is littered with tales of visionaries who paid for pioneering research to prove their theories, and this weekend "Mad" Mike Hughes is hoping to join them. He plans to launch a homemade rocket in California as part of a bid to eventually prove that the Earth is flat.

Hughes has spent $20,000 (15,000) building the steam-powered rocket in his spare time, and will be livestreaming the launch over the internet. The self-described daredevil says he switched his focus to rockets after twice breaking his back doing stunt jumps in cars.