![]() He got permission to launch on land owned by Albert Okura, who bought Amboy in 2005. The rocket landed about 450 metres from the launch ramp, Mr Stakes said. "This thing will kill you in a heartbeat. "This thing wants to kill you 10 different ways," said Mr Hughes, who had an altimeter in his cockpit to measure his altitude. He landed with a thud and the rocket's nose broke in two places, like it was designed to do. Mr Hughes was dropping too fast, though, and had to deploy a second parachute. On Saturday afternoon and without a countdown, Mr Hughes' rocket soared into the sky and reached a speed that Mr Stakes estimated to be around 563kph before Mr Hughes pulled his parachute. ![]() ![]() "I told Mike we could try to keep charging it up and get it hotter," said Waldo Stakes, who's been helping Mr Hughes with his endeavour. It looked like Saturday's attempt would also be cancelled, given that the wind was blowing and his rocket was losing steam. The 61-year-old limousine driver has been working on overhauling the rocket in his garage for months. ![]() It was scrapped several times due to mechanical problems and logistical issues with the Bureau of Land Management. The launch in the desert town of Amboy, California - about 320 kilometres east of Los Angeles - was originally scheduled in November. I manned up and did it," he said, after being checked by paramedics. "I'm tired of people saying I chickened out and didn't build a rocket. ![]()
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