How Jet Packs Function

The future holds exciting possibilities. We’ll each have our own personal jet pack, making long commutes a thing of the past. Instead of spending hours stuck in traffic, we’ll fly straight to work at speeds of 100 mph, soaring above the treetops. Family vacations could include jet pack journeys to untouched scenic destinations, far from the reach of roads. Workers might even use them for high-altitude tasks, like inspecting bridge supports or cleaning skyscraper windows.

Hold on... weren't we imagining this future over 50 years ago? Why has jet pack development been so sluggish? For many, it’s been a major letdown. Despite promising flight tests in the 1940s, the technology hasn’t advanced much. In fact, jet packs have been hindered by some serious, fundamental challenges. However, it hasn’t all been bad news—along the way, jet packs have benefitted from key technological innovations, even making memorable appearances in popular media.

So, is there a chance that regular people will ever own a real jet pack? Is it practical or affordable? The military doesn’t use them, and most private citizens certainly don’t own one. The question that still lingers for many is, 'Where are our jet packs?' Keep reading to find out.

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Challenges in Jet Pack Development

The main challenge in creating a practical jet pack lies in the physics of getting a human to fly. Humans aren’t naturally aerodynamic. Our body shape doesn't generate lift when we’re moved through the air. This means jet packs must generate all the lift through thrust alone, which consumes a lot of fuel very quickly. The real obstacle is the weight of the fuel. While we do have jet packs, they only stay airborne for about 30 seconds. Adding more fuel to extend the flight time makes the pack heavier, which then requires even more fuel. It’s a vicious cycle.

The weight of the fuel is a critical factor that limits the functionality of jet packs. Thirty seconds in the air doesn’t allow enough time to do anything meaningful besides searching for a safe landing spot. This introduces a second major issue: safety. Strapping a rocket or jet engine to your back is inherently risky. Launching yourself into the sky with only 30 seconds to descend makes it even more dangerous. Since carrying extra weight reduces flight time, there’s little room for additional safety features.

The final challenge of jet engines, often overlooked when imagining smooth skyward flights, is the noise. If you've ever been near a running jet engine or a large rocket, you know how deafening they can be. One of the early military concepts for jet packs was reconnaissance, but once the U.S. Army realized that any soldier using a jet pack would be heard by the enemy from miles away, they scrapped the idea. Even in non-combat settings, noise would remain an issue. Picture a jet pack-equipped construction worker in a busy city. The loud noise would disrupt not only other workers but also anyone nearby.

Over the past 50 years since the creation of the first jet packs, we've seen remarkable technological progress. It's entirely possible that with the right scientific minds, we could improve on these initial designs to create jet packs that are both functional and practical. However, there's little demand for them. The truth is, jet packs don’t offer much more than a novelty. Most of the tasks we could imagine for a jet pack could be done more efficiently and affordably using other technologies. Moreover, transporting a person through the air is inefficient—airplanes and helicopters can carry multiple passengers or even cargo, making them more reliable and cost-effective options.

What motivated the creation of the first jet pack? Who was behind its development, and what was their reasoning? Find out on the next page.

Jet Pack History

The U.S. Army's research into rocket pack technology began in 1949 at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, under the Ordnance Rocket Center's guidance. Their aim was to develop a device capable of lifting a soldier off the ground. In 1952, Thomas Moore achieved a successful test of a rocket pack that briefly propelled him into the air. A more advanced version, known as the Jumpbelt, was demonstrated in Fort Benning, Ga., in 1958, achieving a longer flight duration. News coverage of these demonstrations sparked public fascination with jet packs. Later, the project was handed over to Bell Aerosystems in Buffalo, N.Y.

Bell developed the Rocket Belt, officially called the Small Rocket Lift Device (SRLD). Over the following decade, Bell's Rocket Belt saw improvements in both speed and flight duration, reaching speeds of up to 10 mph. Although an experimental jet-powered version showed promise with longer flight times, the military abandoned it, deeming it too large and heavy for their intended purposes.

[source: Scientific American].

The industrial development of jet pack technology stalled after that. Since then, most jet packs have been created by independent inventors or companies, and their use has been primarily for public demonstrations at thrill shows or movie stunts. One well-known example is Rocketman. Rather than being a single individual, Rocketman is a franchise operating globally, offering demonstrations of a rocket belt inspired by the Bell Aerosystems model. The franchise is available for publicity events, movie stunts, and custom performances, including advertising and special appearances [source: The Rocketman].

Ever wondered how much horsepower a rocket belt can produce and how much weight it can actually lift? The answer might surprise you. Check out the next page for some of the most intriguing technical details about rocket belts.

Jet Pack Specifications

Rocket belts operate on hydrogen peroxide, which isn't inherently explosive. This makes them somewhat safer compared to jet packs. When hydrogen peroxide is mixed with pressurized liquid nitrogen and a silver catalyst, the resulting chemical reaction produces superheated steam that exits twin rocket nozzles at temperatures of 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit (704.4 degrees Celsius). While there is no flame, the steam remains extremely hazardous. The reaction creates around 800 horsepower or approximately 300 pounds of thrust [source: CNN.com]. Hydrogen peroxide is a dependable fuel, and its only by-product is water. However, it comes at a steep price—about $250 per gallon (3.78 liters). Each flight uses nearly the entire fuel tank, around seven gallons (26.5 liters).

A typical rocket belt weighs around 125 pounds (56.7 kilograms), and the pilot must weigh 175 pounds (79.4 kilograms) or less to ensure the rockets can generate enough lift. The throttle is controlled with the right hand, while the left hand manages yaw, the side-to-side movement. Although rocket belts offer brief flight times, they can reach speeds of up to 80 mph and accelerate remarkably fast. To land, the pilot gradually reduces throttle [source: Scientific American].

Are you eager to purchase your very own jet pack or rocket belt? Are you prepared to undergo the necessary training? Do you have the budget for it? Continue reading to find out the price tag of owning a jet pack or rocket belt.

Jet Packs Available for Purchase

Several companies are currently offering jet packs for public purchase. One of them is JetPack International (Jet PI), an American company founded by Troy Widgery, the creator of Go Fast energy drinks. Jet PI modernized 1950s-era rocket belt designs, using contemporary fuels and materials to reduce weight, enhance thrust, and extend flight times to over 30 seconds. Aside from public displays, they sell various models of rocket belts and jet packs. Their T-73 jet pack boasts a flight time of nine minutes and is priced at $200,000, while their rocket belt was previously available for $150,000.

Tecnología Aeroespacial Mexicana (TAM), a Mexican company, offers a variety of rocket-powered devices, including the TAM Rocket Belt, priced at $125,000. Both TAM and Jet PI provide a training program as part of the purchase. TAM’s package includes hands-on training, 10 test flights, setup, maintenance, and 24/7 technical support.

Thunderbolt Aerosystems has announced plans to create a jet pack with a flight duration exceeding 30 minutes. They initially sold a rocket pack for $125,000 but claim to have sold the design rights for use in "emergency and earthquake rescue operations" [source: Thunderbolt Aerosystems]. Their current rocket pack model offers a claimed flight time of 75 seconds.

Extensive training is essential when using jet packs and rocket belts, as they can be dangerous. While there have been no reports of serious injuries or fatalities due to jet pack use, this is likely because such devices are still rare. Most pilots are tethered to the ground during flights, preventing loss of control. Rocket belts do not have backup safety systems, as their limited flight time prevents the pilot from gaining enough altitude to use a parachute. Flying is challenging—pilots must navigate in three dimensions, and human bodies are not stable platforms for flight. Due to these risks, building a homemade rocket belt or jet pack is unadvised. The MythBusters team tested plans for a DIY jet pack, which relied on high-powered fans for lift. Their experiment demonstrated that the plans were unworkable.