Daredevil readies for rocket launch over Snake River Canyon

Braun's simply putting things in place before he buckles into his steam-powered rocket cycle this weekend and flips the switch to launch him over the Snake River Canyon in Idaho.

Braun's rocket will reach a top speed of 400 mph in about 3 seconds and an altitude of 3,000 feet before the engine cuts off and the parachute deploys.

First and foremost, a static fire test in which they welded the rocket to the ground to make sure it was generating the kind of power they needed to soar so far.

Therein lies the secret — what is that magic formula?

Because up to the point of me climbing in it, there's no real test that can be done.

On Oct. 18, Hughes will attempt to rocket over the ghost town of Amboy, California, once a familiar spot along Route 66.

"If his rocket ever starts tumbling, which Knievel's did, it will land and not be a happy ending for him," explained Hughes, a limo driver in his spare time.

Because that's important to me.