Self-taught rocket scientist “Mad Mike” Hughes plans to launch himself 1,800 feet (550 metres) and fly through the air at 500mph in his steam-powered vessel made of scrap metal. The 61-year-old limo driver has spent £15,000 ($20,000) building his rocket and his goal is to get 10 miles high so he can prove the Earth is disc-shaped. He also used protective Rust-Oleum paint and he bought a motor home on craigslist which he converted into a launch vessel. The flight is planned for this weekend and is the first step in his flat-Earth space programme.

FACEBOOK-MIKE-HUGHES The 61-year-old limo driver has spent £15,000 ($20,000) building his steam-powered rocket

Mr Hughes said: “I don't believe in science. It'll shut the door on this ball Earth.” He goes on to explain that NASA is controlled by round-Earth Freemasons and Elon Musk is making fake rockets. In the future, he plans to make a rocket that can take him to the outskirts of space so he can snap a picture and prove the world is flat. He added: “It's scary as hell, but none of us are getting out of this world alive.

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"I like to do extraordinary things that no one else can do, and no one in the history of mankind has designed, built and launched himself in his own rocket. “I know about aerodynamics and fluid dynamics and how things move through the air, about the certain size of rocket nozzles, and thrust. But that's not science, that's just a formula. “There's no difference between science and science fiction.” This is the second time he has constructed and launched a rocket.

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He jumped on a private property in Winkelman, Arizona in January 2014 and travelled 1,374 feet (419 metres). He collapsed from the G-force afterwards ad needed three days to recover. The distance would have been enough to clear the Snake River Canyon which daredevil Evil Knievel failed to clear in 1974. Mr Hughes built his latest rocket at the “Rocket Ranch” in Apple Valley, California. He said: “I want to inspire others - and you have to do something incredible to get anybody's attention.”

FACEBOOK-MIKE-HUGHES Mr Hughes said he will prove NASA lied about the Earth being round

The homemade contraption will hurtle over the ghost town of Amboy in the Mojave Desert, which has a population of four. Mr Hughes received permission from Albert Okura who purchased the rights to Amboy in 2005 for £328,000 ($435,000). Mr Okura said: “It is absolutely the most wacky promotional proposal I have had since I purchased the entire town in 2005. He is a true daredevil and I want to be part of it.

FACEBOOK-MIKE-HUGHES Mr Hughes bought a van from Craigslist for the ramp