The plan was all set. “Mad” Mike Hughes had picked a launch site, built his steam-powered rocket and set lift-off for Saturday, one step in his plan to fly into space and prove the Earth is flat.

Just one tiny problem.

Well, two problems actually.

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.