Was Being Filmed For The Science Channel Program 'Homemade Astronauts'

Michael 'Mad Mike' Hughes, who was attempting to build a steam-powered rocket to carry him to an altitude of about 5,000 feet, was fatally injured last week during the filming of a segment for the Science Channel program "Homemade Astronauts".

USA Today reports that Huges launched his homemade rocket in the desert near Barstow CA. Footage of the launch shows the parachute assembly separating from the rocket shortly after it left the ground with Hughes aboard. A few seconds later, the rocket slams into the ground.

In a statement, the Science Channel acknowledged the accident, saying "Michael '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."

FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said the launch was not authorized by the agency and the rocket did not have an FAA airworthiness certificate.

Hughes and his business partner Waldo Stakes developed the rocket as a proof-of-concept prototype. Their eventual goal was to carry "Mad Mike" to the Karman Line some 60 miles above the Earth.

The series "Homemade Astronauts" follows three self-financed teams trying to "explore the final frontier on shoe-string budgets", according to a Discovery Channel news release announcing the series in July of last year.

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report
Discovery Channel news release