Backpack jet. Jet-Propelled Backpacks: The Evolution of NASA’s Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU)

How did NASA develop the Manned Maneuvering Unit. What were the key features of the MMU. Who were the first astronauts to use the MMU in space. How did the MMU perform during its first real-world mission.

The Birth of NASA’s Jet-Propelled Backpack

The concept of a jet-propelled backpack for astronauts originated in the 1960s, born from the imaginative minds of engineers and space enthusiasts. This revolutionary idea aimed to provide astronauts with unprecedented mobility and freedom in the vast expanse of space.

Engineer Charles “Ed” Whitsett laid the foundation for what would become the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) in his 1960 master’s thesis as an Air Force officer. His vision of a portable propulsion system for spacewalkers would eventually transform into a reality, reshaping the possibilities of human activity in space.

Collaboration and Development

The journey from concept to functional device was a collaborative effort spanning over two decades. Whitsett joined forces with astronaut Bruce McCandless in the late 1960s, combining engineering expertise with practical spaceflight experience. Their partnership proved crucial in refining the MMU’s design and functionality.

In 1973, a significant milestone was reached when a test version of the MMU was trialed inside the Skylab space station. This early prototype provided valuable insights that would inform future iterations of the device. The development process accelerated in 1977 when Whitsett joined NASA, allowing him and McCandless to leverage the Skylab results and further enhance their design.

Technical Marvels of the Manned Maneuvering Unit

The final version of the MMU, produced by Martin Marietta Aerospace, was a testament to innovative engineering and meticulous design. Weighing 300 pounds, it was more akin to a compact refrigerator than a traditional backpack. Despite its substantial size, the MMU offered unparalleled maneuverability in the zero-gravity environment of space.

Propulsion and Control Systems

At the heart of the MMU’s functionality were 24 small thrusters powered by compressed nitrogen. These thrusters provided the necessary propulsion for astronauts to navigate in space with precision and control. The unit’s design incorporated two motion-control handles mounted on armrests, allowing for intuitive operation.

One of the MMU’s most impressive features was its attitude-hold mode. Activated by a simple button press, this function utilized data from motion-sensing gyroscopes to maintain the desired orientation in space. This automated stabilization system significantly enhanced the ease of use and safety of the device.

Design Philosophy: Simplicity and Safety

The MMU was engineered with a “rent-a-car concept” in mind, as described by Whitsett. This approach ensured that astronauts could operate the device with minimal training, making it accessible to a broader range of space travelers. To prioritize safety and conserve fuel, the MMU’s speed was deliberately limited to a crawl.

Pioneering Flights: McCandless and Stewart’s Historic Ventures

February 1984 marked a pivotal moment in space exploration history when astronauts Bruce McCandless and Bob Stewart became the first humans to test-fly the MMU in space. Their brave endeavors pushed the boundaries of human spaceflight and captured the world’s imagination.

Untethered in Space

During their historic spacewalks from the Space Shuttle Challenger, McCandless and Stewart each ventured more than 300 feet from the spacecraft. This unprecedented distance from the safety of their ship demonstrated the MMU’s capability and reliability.

McCandless’ flight, in particular, resulted in one of NASA’s most iconic images – a photograph of him floating freely in space with the Earth as a backdrop. This visual representation of human achievement in space exploration quickly became one of the agency’s most sought-after images.

Astronaut Experiences

Despite the inherent risks of being untethered in space, both McCandless and Stewart approached their MMU flights with remarkable composure. McCandless, drawing from his extensive involvement in the MMU’s development, expressed unwavering confidence in the device. He famously stated, “I knew the laws of physics hadn’t been repealed recently,” reflecting his trust in the MMU’s design and functionality.

Stewart, a former test pilot, was equally impressed by the MMU’s performance. He described it as “the easiest thing I had ever flown,” further adding that “the only way you could make it easier would be to wire it directly to your brain.” These testimonials from experienced astronauts underscored the MMU’s intuitive design and ease of use.

The MMU in Action: The Solar Max Rescue Mission

Following the successful test flights by McCandless and Stewart, NASA quickly identified an opportunity to put the MMU to practical use. In April 1984, just a couple of months after its inaugural flights, the MMU was deployed on a critical mission to rescue a malfunctioning satellite named Solar Max.

Mission Planning and Preparation

The Solar Max rescue mission represented a significant challenge and an opportunity to demonstrate the MMU’s capabilities in a real-world scenario. Whitsett and McCandless played crucial roles in convincing NASA to mount this ambitious rescue operation.

Astronaut George “Pinky” Nelson was assigned the task of capturing the Solar Max satellite using the MMU. His mission involved flying to the slowly spinning satellite, matching its rotation, and then using a capture device to “dock” with a trunnion pin projecting from the satellite.

Training and Simulation

To prepare for this complex operation, Nelson underwent extensive training at Martin Marietta. Using a sophisticated simulator, he practiced the intricate maneuvers required to approach and capture the satellite. The plan called for Nelson to use the MMU’s attitude-hold mode to stabilize the satellite once attached, allowing his crewmates inside Challenger to retrieve it using the shuttle’s robotic arm.

Challenges and Lessons from the Solar Max Mission

Despite meticulous planning and training, the Solar Max rescue mission encountered unexpected challenges that tested the limits of both the MMU and its operator. These unforeseen difficulties provided valuable insights for future space operations and equipment design.

The Capture Attempt

When Nelson reached the Solar Max satellite, the MMU performed flawlessly, allowing him to match the satellite’s rotation and position himself for the capture. However, the mission hit a snag when the capture device failed to grab onto the satellite’s trunnion pin as intended.

This unforeseen complication was later traced to a small protrusion next to the trunnion pin, which interfered with the capture mechanism. Despite the MMU’s perfect performance, this minor design oversight in the capture device led to the initial failure of the mission objective.

Adapting to Unforeseen Circumstances

The Solar Max mission highlighted the importance of flexibility and problem-solving in space operations. While the initial capture attempt was unsuccessful, the mission was not a total loss. The experience gained from this operation provided crucial data for improving future satellite rescue techniques and equipment design.

Moreover, the MMU itself proved its worth by safely and efficiently maneuvering an astronaut to and from a distant object in space. This demonstration of the MMU’s capabilities opened up new possibilities for future space missions and repair operations.

Legacy and Impact of the Manned Maneuvering Unit

The development and deployment of the Manned Maneuvering Unit represented a significant leap forward in human spaceflight capabilities. Its impact extended far beyond the few missions where it was actively used, influencing future space technology development and capturing the public’s imagination.

Technological Advancements

The MMU’s successful development and deployment demonstrated the feasibility of untethered spacewalks and independent astronaut maneuvering in space. This breakthrough paved the way for more advanced propulsion systems and spacewalking equipment, enhancing astronauts’ ability to perform complex tasks in the challenging environment of space.

Many of the technologies and design principles used in the MMU have found applications in subsequent space systems, including modern spacewalking gear and small satellite propulsion systems.

Cultural Impact

The iconic image of Bruce McCandless floating freely in space with the MMU captured the public’s imagination and became a symbol of human achievement in space exploration. This visual representation of an astronaut venturing far from the safety of their spacecraft resonated with people worldwide, inspiring a new generation of scientists, engineers, and space enthusiasts.

The MMU’s appearance in popular culture, including its recent (albeit unrealistic) depiction in the film “Gravity,” further cemented its place in the public consciousness as a symbol of futuristic space technology.

Future Prospects: The Evolution of Space Mobility

While the original Manned Maneuvering Unit saw limited use in actual space missions, its legacy continues to influence the development of astronaut mobility systems for future space exploration endeavors. The lessons learned from the MMU project are being applied to create more advanced and versatile space mobility solutions.

Next-Generation Propulsion Systems

Modern space agencies and private companies are working on developing more compact and efficient propulsion systems for astronaut use. These next-generation devices aim to provide greater range, improved fuel efficiency, and enhanced maneuverability compared to the original MMU.

Some concepts under consideration include advanced cold-gas thrusters, small electric propulsion systems, and even more exotic technologies like ionized gas propulsion. These innovations could dramatically expand the capabilities of astronauts working in orbit or exploring other celestial bodies.

Applications in Future Space Missions

As humanity sets its sights on returning to the Moon and eventually reaching Mars, the need for efficient astronaut mobility systems becomes increasingly critical. Future versions of the MMU concept could play vital roles in various mission scenarios:

• Facilitating the construction and maintenance of large space structures, such as orbital habitats or fuel depots
• Enabling rapid response to emergencies on the exterior of spacecraft or space stations
• Supporting exploration and scientific research on the surfaces of moons or asteroids with minimal gravity
• Assisting in the assembly and servicing of large space telescopes or other scientific instruments in orbit

Challenges and Considerations

Despite the promising potential of advanced space mobility systems, several challenges must be addressed to ensure their safe and effective use in future missions:

1. Miniaturization: Developing more compact propulsion systems without sacrificing performance or safety
2. Power management: Ensuring sufficient energy storage for extended operations away from a spacecraft
3. Radiation protection: Incorporating shielding to protect astronauts during prolonged exposure outside of spacecraft
4. Debris mitigation: Designing systems that minimize the risk of creating or encountering orbital debris
5. Training and simulation: Creating effective methods to prepare astronauts for the unique challenges of operating these devices in various space environments

As space exploration continues to evolve, the spirit of innovation that drove the development of the original Manned Maneuvering Unit lives on. Future astronauts may one day look back on the MMU as a crucial stepping stone that enabled humanity to reach further into the cosmos and expand our presence beyond Earth.

The Story of NASA’s Jet-Propulsion Backpack | Science

From the National Air and Space Museum / Udvar-Hazy Center.
Dan Winters

It’s an astronaut’s wildest dream: to fly effortlessly through space, like a modern-day Buck Rogers. Thirty years ago, for a brief moment, a handful of space shuttle astronauts got to live the dream, thanks to a jet-powered backpack called the manned maneuvering unit, or MMU.

In February 1984, Bruce McCandless and Bob Stewart were the first to test-fly the MMU in space when they each ventured more than 300 feet from Challenger. (A photograph of the free-flying McCandless instantly became one of NASA’s most sought-after images.) Despite the risks of that untethered moment, McCandless took the test in stride. “I knew the laws of physics hadn’t been repealed recently,” he later said of his confidence in the MMU.

His fellow astronaut was equally unfazed. “I decided that this was the easiest thing I had ever flown,” says Stewart, a former test pilot. “The only way you could make it easier would be to wire it directly to your brain.”

McCandless’ faith in the MMU was the result of long experience: He had played a major role in developing it. The apparatus was the brainchild of engineer Charles “Ed” Whitsett, who researched the idea for his master’s thesis in 1960 as a young Air Force officer. By the late 1960s he had joined forces with McCandless to produce a test version tried out by astronauts inside the roomy Skylab space station in 1973. In 1977, Whitsett arrived at NASA, where he and McCandless used the Skylab results to improve their design.

Powered by 24 small gaseous nitrogen thrusters, the manned maneuvering unit let astronauts move untethered in space.
Dan Winters

Using joysticks to control the MMU, astronaut Bruce McCandless flew 320 feet—the farthest an astronaut had ever ventured from the safety of his ship.
NASA

McCandless tested this MMU, marked with the serial number 3, on a February 7, 1984, spacewalk from the Challenger.
Dan Winters

In its final form, the MMU, produced by Martin Marietta Aerospace, weighed 300 pounds—more like a refrigerator than a backpack—and was outfitted with 24 small thrusters powered by compressed nitrogen. Two motion-control handles were mounted on armrests. The push of a button triggered the MMU’s attitude-hold mode, in which data from motion-sensing gyroscopes directed the firing of thrusters to maintain a desired orientation in space.

The MMU was designed to be so simple to operate that almost anyone could fly it with minimum training. “It’s the rent-a-car concept,” Whitsett said of an astronaut’s need for simplicity. “He just gets on and goes.” For safety, and to conserve fuel, the MMU was never flown faster than a crawl. (That, by the way, is the reason that the MMU’s recent appearance in the film Gravity was completely unrealistic: Even if an astronaut aspired to the recklessness of George Clooney’s on-screen hot rodding, the MMU had far too little fuel to allow for that.)

A couple of months after McCandless and Stewart took the MMU for its first spin, astronauts put the invention to work. A satellite called Solar Max had suffered a malfunction. Whitsett and McCandless helped convince NASA to mount a rescue mission, launched in April 1984.

The astronaut assigned to snare Solar Max was George “Pinky” Nelson. At Martin Marietta he trained in a simulator to fly to the slowly spinning satellite, match its rotation, then close in before using a capture device to “dock” with a trunnion pin projecting from the satellite. Once attached, Nelson would put the MMU into attitude-hold mode, letting its thrusters halt the spin. His crew mates inside Challenger would grab Solar Max with the shuttle’s robotic arm and place it in the cargo bay, where it would be repaired on a later spacewalk.

In space, however, it didn’t turn out that way. The MMU flew perfectly, but the capture device would not grab on. (The failure was later traced to a small protrusion next to the trunnion pin that wasn’t in the blueprints.) Running low on fuel, a frustrated Nelson returned to Challenger.

Ultimately, the repair mission succeeded without the MMU—ground controllers were able to slow the satellite remotely and astronauts used the shuttle’s robotic arm to grab Solar Max. But today Nelson has nothing but praise for the jet-powered backpack. “It’s a beautiful example of aerospace engineering,” he says.   (The MMU piloted by McCandless is now displayed at the National Air and Space Museum/Udvar-Hazy Center.)

The MMU did prove itself as a satellite-rescue tool in November 1985, when astronauts Joe Allen and Dale Gardner piloted it to retrieve a pair of errant communications satellites.

But after the Challenger disaster in 1986, NASA re-evaluated shuttle missions, including spacewalks, and the MMU was deemed unnecessary. “It became pretty obvious that you didn’t need it,” explains Nelson. “The shuttle had such an amazing capability to fly right up to something, and it made more sense to just reach out and grab it, either with the [robotic] arm or just with a person, that the MMU became a really cool piece of technology that didn’t quite have a purpose.”

“Too bad,” Nelson adds, “because it’s a very cool machine.”

He remembers a moment on the way to Solar Max. “I relaxed and looked around, and saw the shuttle coming up behind me, and the satellite in front of me, and the Earth going by underneath, and I thought, ‘Jeez, I can’t believe they let me do this!’”

Air and Space Museum

Astronauts

NASA

The best DJ bags and backpacks for your laptop, gear, and equipment
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What is Customization?

Our customized service personalizes your JetPack bag with your very own DJ/Comany Logo.

How is this Customization done?

Your logo is placed onto the JetPack by using high quality threaded embroidery. We choose to use embroidery because of it’s striking appearance, and also because of its durability and longevity.

Where is the logo placed, and how large is it?

Generally your logo is placed on the front of your JetPack, slightly above center, as large we can to be prominently featured. The size of the logo is usually between 5 to 7 inches for the longest dimension, depending on which product you ordered, and the shape of logo. If you have any other other requests please email us at [email protected].

What if I order 2 logos?

Our main two options are both logos adjacent in the center of the JetPack, or one centered, and one in the bottom corner. The most common scenario for this option is one individualized logo and an accompanying company or crew logo. We would place them accordingly. Please email [email protected] if you have any specific questions.

How do I submit my logo for customization?

On the product page, once you select either 1 or 2 logos from the customization drop down menu, a file upload option will appear for you to submit prior to adding to cart.

What file types do you accept?

Any standard image file is accepted, including JPG, PNG, PDF and vector files, etc.

Do you have any guidelines for submitting a logo?

This is a threaded embroidery, not a print, so certain design elements will not translate completely, such as color gradients, shading, glow effects, etc. It’s best to keep it simple, mostly text based, and to avoid complex images. It just won’t look good. So please, try to avoid fading colors, sparkles, metallic shiny effects, etc. If you are unsure, please submit your logo beforehand to [email protected] and we’ll address any specific issue as necessary.

With the exception of the Slim Camo/Gray, when sending in your logo please be mindful that it will be printed onto a black surface, so solid black images or letters should be avoided, or surrounded with a border.

So can I can’t just submit any picture?

In short no. The vast majority of our logos are simple text based logos with solid colors. Please do not send in complex pictures with backgrounds included, they will be omitted. Do not include additional images such as faces, profiles, and intricately detailed scenes, they will be omitted as well. This is not a printing service, we are just embroidering your logo, be it name or symbol. If your logo is too large or too complex, we may need to contact you about an additional logo charge.

How long does the customization process take?

We ask for up to a maximum of 3 weeks from date of purchase for the entire process, although this is the max amount only, we usually complete the process much quicker than that.

Why does it take that long?

Again this is not a simple print, we can’t just input an image and the machine automatically embroiders the file. A skilled embroiderer has to take your image, and digitize it into an embroidery ready file that will direct the machine to properly create your logo. This includes details including the order of stitching, which stitching pattern to use to recreate the proper look, and when to change colors. This cannot be done automatically and takes time. Other factors include complexity of logo and volume of customized orders at that time.

How will I know that the logo will look good?

Once we receive your artwork, we create a virtual rendering that will simulate how your logo will look embroidered. We will send it to you with a side by side comparison to the original artwork for your approval, and will only complete the process once we get your explicit order.

Can I just tell you guys “to do whatever looks good?”

Due to the liability factors no. You might think it’s ok for us to do what we want, but that doesn’t guarantee your satisfaction with the final product. That creates a compromised situation, so we will need explicit approval from the customer before we execute any customization. It’s just better that way. At most you can just provide us your name and a specific desired font. But outside of that you will need to provide all artwork.

Can i change my logo after submitting it?

Generally no, unless you contact us immediately after ordering. The reason is that the digitization of the logo alone already renders us a cost, even prior to any stitching being done. Please be aware of this as you are submitting your logo.

I approved of the rendering, but now that I got it I changed my mind. Can I return this bag?

Barring any manufacturer defect, all sales on customized bags are final.

I already ordered and received a non-customized JetPack, can I still get it customized?

Once we ship out your order we can no longer offer customization. But please understand that the cost for you to ship it to us, and to have it shipped back to you would not make this a reasonable decision anyway.

Should I really order customization?

Everyone is different, but we highly recommend it. Branding is extremely important for DJs and this is an excellent opportunity to have a unique, personalized branded product with your own logo at a reasonable price. The satisfaction rate for customized bags are extremely high, we definitely recommend that you experience owning your own customized JetPack bag.

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Get Ready for Takeoff. You Can Finally Buy a Real-Life Jetpack

Are you feeling lucky?

JetPack Aviation has been scoring major publicity points ever since the public tests of their JB-10 off the coast of Monaco just last month. Now, the company has announced that it will begin selling the JB-10.

But don’t get your wallet out just yet. The company is offering to sell the jetpack “to well qualified buyers” only. That’s presumably because they don’t want bad press from people recklessly playing with two jet engines strapped behind their back (and potentially hurting themselves).

The JB-10 is the quintessential jetpack, a backpack with two jet engines strapped to it. The new model delivers 7 percent more power than the JB-9 and can go up at a rate of 305 meters (1,000 ft) per minute. Each ride lasts between 5 and 10 minutes.

Delivery of any sold JB-10 units is expected for April or May 2017, but even if you aren’t one of the lucky “qualified” few, you still have a chance to ride a JB-10. The company has issued a contest for a chance to win a jetpack flight in LA, dinner with the company’s founders, and $1,000 in travel vouchers.

A Race to the Sky

As with most technology, JetPack Aviation is not the only company developing jetpacks. The BW-Air Jetpack works as a golf-cart jetpack. It has a 210 hp engine and twin propellers, giving players a bird’s-eye-view of the golf course. There’s also the Martin Jetpack of the Martin Aircraft Company. This one can run for 30 minutes and is commercially available for a steep $250,000.

JetPack Aviation is working on another jetpack design, as well. This one is smaller and features six small engines instead of two large ones. They are also working on a new computer for the jetpack, as well as ballistic parachutes.

Finding ways to effectively train these new pilots could be trickier than developing the tech, but JetPack Aviation is already building an electric, tethered training facility to ensure that their pilots are ready for the responsibility. With so many companies working on jetpacks, we could be getting our hands on the tech very soon — assuming our bank accounts allow for it.

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Jet Pack Backpack Shaped Samplers (case)

Backpack — QWSTION

This is your flexible, everyday companion for work, travel and leisure. Contemporary in design and made from water-resistant cotton canvas, it opens to a spacious main compartment where padded and neoprene sleeves and a zipped pocket take care of up to a 15” notebook, iPad and documents. A front zip keeps gadgets within easy reach. If you’re not in a backpack mood, simply grab one of the two side handles and head out – the city is yours to explore.

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  • Size(L×W×H)48×31×14 cm
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  If needed, hand wash your Qwstion item using a soft cloth and lukewarm water. Air dry thoroughly, leather and metal parts should be washed and dried extra carefully. Do not machine wash or tumble dry.
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Pacsafe Vibe 28L Daily Commuter Anti-Theft Work & Travel Backpack in Jet Black – int.pacsafe.com

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90,000 People with jetpacks fly with planes.

pilots complain about them

Throughout the 20th century, scientists and inventors were interested in jetpacks – as a revolutionary means of transportation – and in the military – as a way to get a mobile soldier capable of quickly moving from one point to another. They often teamed up.

The first jetpack prototype was invented and patented back in 1928 by Soviet engineer Alexander Andreev.

Drawing of a jetpack invented by Andreev

However, the first working model was developed in 1952 by the American Thomas Moore, who used the achievements of German engineers during the Second World War.The US Air Force became interested in his jet vest and paid a grant of $ 25 thousand. On tests, the vest lifted a person into the air for just a few seconds, and soon the project was canceled.

In 1958, another project appeared – Grasshopper, developed by Thiokol Chemical Corporation and also commissioned by the American military. The model was equipped with five nitrogen cylinders and could fly for about one minute. In addition, the “jumping belt” gave acceleration: in it one could run at a speed of up to 50 km / h.And again the experiments ended in nothing.

In the same 1958, Wendell Moore of Bell Aerosystems managed to create a knapsack that lifted a person 5 m and lasted for three minutes. The pilot controlled the knapsack, controlling the position in the air, and the operator from the ground was responsible for the supply of nitrogen fuel.

Wendell Moore’s jetpack

In 1961, pilot Harold Graham ascended with Moore’s flying knapsack to a height of 34 m.The body of this model was made of fiberglass, which made it much lighter than its metal predecessors. However, the nitrogen peroxide used as fuel was very expensive. At the same time, 19 liters were taken for 20 seconds of flight.

Sean Connery flies a jetpack in James Bond.Ball lightning “1965

For the next – more powerful – development in 1969, the military allocated $ 35 million to Moore.The device accelerated to 45 km / h, but they had to slow down during landing with their feet (with a backpack weight of 50 kg), so the project was curtailed due to the high danger …

In 1984, another test pilot, William Sutor, took to the air at the opening ceremony of the Los Angeles Olympic Games.His jetpack was still very heavy – 54 kg, and the flight lasted only 20 seconds.

In 2006, the first commercial model of the Jetlev-Flyer backpack was launched. They weighed 13.6 kg and were attached to a motor boat, whose engine pumped water to create thrust.

In 2008, the first Martin Jetpack was introduced. The model could withstand up to 120 kg, flew for up to 30 minutes at an altitude of 2.5 km and ran on regular gasoline. And yes, apparently, it was their knapsack that was spotted over Los Angeles. The New Zealand company had every chance of becoming the market leader.But work on the second series dragged on, and Martin Jetpack closed in 2019.

The first series of Martin Aircraft jetpacks

Jetpack Aviation took over the palm.In 2015, its founder, former commercial pilot David Mayman, flew around the Statue of Liberty in New York. His knapsack weighed 38.5 kg, and the flight itself lasted 10 minutes.

David Mayman’s flight over the Statue of Liberty

This was the JB-9 model, which allows you to fly at altitudes up to 3 thousand meters.m at a speed of up to 100 km / h. In 2016, Mayman took to the air again, this time in Monaco. He flew for about three minutes using a new model, the JB-10. It was more compact than the previous one and already looked more like a knapsack, and not like a rocket launcher. Such a jetpack flies up to 10 minutes at the same altitude, but at a speed of up to 160 km / h.

The average price of jetpacks produced by Jetpack Aviation is about $ 250,000.

Finally, in 2018, a new version was shown – JB-11. It accelerates to 320 km / h, climbs to 4.5 km and can fly for up to 12 minutes. The maximum flight range is 32 km, and the maximum cargo weight is 120 kg.

These devices were purchased by the Dubai authorities to be used for emergencies – for example, to extinguish fires.

The next generation of jetpacks are available for pre-order in two versions: civil and military. Satchels can reach speeds of up to 240 km / h, fly for up to 30 minutes and withstand up to 544 kg.

There is also a lightweight version, which is designed for 19 liters of fuel and a speed of up to 100 km / h. It does not require a pilot’s license to fly. The experimental one has no restrictions on fuel volume and speed, but a license is required to operate it.

90,000 Australian took off on

propeller backpack

CopterPack

Australian startup Copterpack has tested an electric version of the jetpack.According to New Atlas, it is similar in design to a Martin Aircraft jetpack, but with two large rotors. The diameter of each of them is about 90 centimeters.

Updated: A smeared cable was noticed on the video of the flight of a backpack with propellers

Jetpacks or jetpacks began to be developed in the 50s of the last century. For a long time they were created only by enthusiasts and in single copies, but in the last few years the situation has changed. In 2015, the sale of mass-produced jetpacks was announced by the New Zealand company Martin Aircraft.Her knapsack lifts 120 kilograms of cargo into the air and can fly up to 30 minutes on 45 liters of regular gasoline at a maximum speed of 74 kilometers per hour. The American company JetPack Aviation has also created several models of personal aircraft, one of which can accelerate to 320 kilometers per hour.

There are risks involved in testing jetpacks. They lift the passenger to a sufficiently high altitude, so the probability of death in the event of an explosion of a hydrogen peroxide cylinder or a control problem is high.For the first time, a person crashed on a jetpack in 2019. In order to reduce risks, in most cases flights are carried out over water.

Australian startup Copterpack has developed and tested an electric version of the jetpack of the same name. In design, it resembles a Martin Aircraft jetpack. A personal aircraft has two rotors with a diameter of about 90 centimeters. They are connected via carbon fiber tubes to the rigid frame of the backpack on which the batteries are suspended.The electric backpack can be operated using the handles on the flat armrests.

The first flight of the electric backpack was successful: the passenger smoothly took off into the sky, rose high above the beach and softly lands. New Atlas notes that given the small size of the batteries, most likely the device does not yet allow it to remain in the air for a long time.

Jetpacks usually lift people into the air, but they don’t have to. Earlier we wrote about an English student who developed a jetpack for fast underwater swimming.He 3D printed most of the parts.

Vasilisa Chernyavtseva

90,000 Just some $ 4950 and you are a jetpack pilot / Jet Hackers Blog / Habr

“More people have been to the Moon than flew in a jetpack”

It has only been three years since David Mayman first flew around the Statue of Liberty in his JB-9 jetpack, thus officially ushering in the jetpack era.Three years! They may seem like an eternity in an era of rapid technological progress, when it looks like the next iteration (version) of any commercial product is born in just 6 months.

And things are really moving fast, because in numerous public appearances, David Mayman rises into the air already in a deeply modernized six-turbine version of the JB-11 backpack, working on the design of a flying machine in between flights. But while Jetpack Aviation is actually ready to sell the JB-10 to the reckless brave, a model capable of a wild 150 mph (240 km / h) and a pilot’s 18,000 feet (5,400 meters) lift, the company will pursue a more cautious strategy. until it develops a security system with “foolproof” as the last frontier, which, in the event of a catastrophic failure, can take over.

It doesn’t mean you or I don’t have a chance to ride a jetpack. There was a time when only David Mayman was the only one who ever flew the JB, but soon he began to train other employees of his company, and then even one completely outsider who won the competition. And now Maiman is opening his school to the general public

For $ 4950, you can finally learn how to fly a JB-10 and spend a full day with Maiman, the world’s only certified jetpack instructor. from the FAA (excellent CV) and qualified pilot Boris Yarri.You will perform takeoffs, landings, hovering, as well as forward, backward and sideways maneuvers – according to Meiman, flying the JB-10 is like flying a Segway in the sky and should be intuitive for most people.

All flights will be performed using safety ropes, and instructors have the ability to remotely turn off the engines if something suddenly goes wrong. Pilots will be able to keep their individual flight suit, tailored exclusively for the occasion, as a souvenir, as well as receive photos and videos of their aerial adventures.

The flight training program takes place in the Los Angeles area, amidst picturesque citrus trees, and Maiman boasts of the amazing views directly out onto the ocean when you soar in the air at 20 feet (6 meters) with absolutely no risk of crashing, and the noble roar of turbines is heard from your back.

The total flight time is likely to be around 20 minutes, and of course this will not be enough to train most pilots to the point where they can safely fly on their own without a harness.However, Meiman says successful pilots will have the opportunity to return and continue their training in the future.

Yes, it’s not cheap, but it can be an absolutely unique experience. As the company notes, now even more people have walked on the moon than flew in a jetpack. Both Meiman and the Jetpack Aviation team are at the forefront of progress to unveil a new personalized flying category that everyone has dreamed of for many, many decades. If you decide to try the satchel on yourself, then be sure to tell us about what you felt and experienced!

Watch Mayman showcase the fruits of his labor this year at Red Bull Air Race:

Translation: Alexander Jeditobe Rechitsky

P.S.

Well, how are things in Russia?

At the NASA hackathon last weekend, I conducted fire bench tests of a twin-turbine aircraft. All systems are working fine. Now, in a week, I’ll finish building a launch pad for training people and fly.

Who wants to sign up for a training session (in Moscow) and become the first Russians (only 10 seats) who fly on a jetpack – write here:

– blog on Habré
– channel in Telegram
– group VK
– my profile in Fb
– letters to write here [email protected]

By the way, the company

RUVDS

is interested in the jetpack and is helping to storm the clouds.

Bonus to blog readers:

One of the first investors of Tesla and SpaceX invested in the manufacturers of jetpacks and flying motorcycles

Venture investor and billionaire Tim Draper, who at the start invested in Tesla, SpaceX and other successful projects, made a bet on the future – his Draper Associates fund has invested in jetpack and flying motorcycle developers, writes CNBC.

Two startups received funding from Tim Draper – JetPack Aviation and Gravity Industries Ltd. They are developing jetpacks – jetpacks that allow a person to fly into the air using jet thrust.

An exoskeleton wetsuit from Gravity Industries has two jet engines attached to each arm and one engine mounted on the back. This allows vertical takeoff and thrust control by shifting body weight.

JetPack Aviation develops and tests not only the jetpack, but also the flying Speeder motorcycle. The company says that two people will be able to fly on it at once, and a flying motorcycle will be able to accelerate to more than 402 km / h.

JetPack Aviation

JetAviation, led by David Mayman, has already raised $ 5 million in start-up capital. Mayman himself has repeatedly demonstrated a jet backpack – for example, he flew it around the Statue of Liberty.

The company has already entered into an agreement with the US Navy Special Forces for the short-term use of jetpacks.JB12 flight tests for the military will begin in March next year.

“These companies have figured out how to make jetpacks more practical so that anyone can use this technology and land anywhere,” says Tim Draper. The investor believes that now humanity is at a stage when it needs to change the traditional forms of travel to work.

Tim Draper

Investor

“We are stuck in cars. To travel a long distance, you need to arrive at the airport and get on a plane.Imagine that you can just put on a suit and fly wherever you want. I think this technology is what we are all looking for. ”

That said, Draper notes that it will take years for flying motorcycles and jetpacks to hit the mainstream commercial market. The fact that the military will be the first to get access to this development, says the founder of JetAviation David Mayman.

Formerly Inc. said that the Japanese flying car manufacturer SkyDrive tested its SD-03 with a man on board.The car took off and hovered in the air at a height of one and a half to two meters above the ground.

pilot made maiden flight on Copterpack jet pack (video)

The pilot climbed 15 meters and demonstrated the high maneuverability of the device.

In Australia, the pilot made the maiden flight in the Copterpack, a twin-rotor electric flying device.

Be always up to date with the Fast Focus telegram channel.

Reported by New Atlas.

Its design is more reminiscent of the Martin satchel, designed by New Zealand engineers, than the turbocharged units from JetCat.

The

Copterpack received two large rotors with a diameter of about 90 cm. They are connected to each other using carbon tubes with a rigid backpack frame. There are batteries under the backpack that power the entire device.Unlike four-engine jetpacks, this model is stabilized by changing the angle of inclination of the rotors to redirect the thrust vector, rather than by changing the speed of the engines. Due to the low energy density of lithium batteries, journalists believe that Copterpack will not be too autonomous.

The pilot, in the published video, climbed to a height of about 15 meters. The whole device looks quite impressive and stable. These large motors are needed for effective lift.

Pilot safety is not particularly high due to the peculiarities of this type of device. Motorcycle equipment hardly saved the pilot if he fell from a height of 15 meters.

Demonstration flight

[+ -]

On the official Copterpack website, apart from the link to the Youtube channel and a short description, there are no more details.

“CopterPack” is an electric jetpack helicopter with self-leveling autopilot.The lightweight airframe is made of carbon fiber “- listed on the website.

Earlier we reported that the Dutch Special Forces used jetpacks for exercises that make the fighters more mobile.

Recall that the first model of a jetpack in the United States began to be sold back in 2011. Note that in November 2020, jetpack pilot Vince Refet, who was the face of the JetMan team, crashed.

90,000 Miracles in the Sky, or Jetpack Flying

I wonder how you would react when you saw a flying man through the window of an airplane? Probably, a sane passenger would shake his head (isn’t it an obsession?) And rub his eyes.After all, flying people have figured so far only in fairy tales and science fiction. So? That’s how it is, but not quite. At the end of the fall of 2020, near Los Angeles, aircraft pilots began to notice the most curious phenomena. Yes. You guessed it right. It is the flying people.

Wherever I want, I fly there

At the end of the summer of 2020, an American Airlines Airbus came in for a landing. At an altitude of almost a kilometer and about 300 meters from the aircraft, the pilots saw an unknown person with a knapsack over his shoulders.One can only try to imagine the size of the crew’s eyes from such a sight! In addition, landing is almost always a nervous thing. On that day, the pilots of two other planes saw the same flying man. This happened at the end of August. A similar situation was repeated at the end of December last year. The passenger plane again flew past the unknown desperate lonely extremal. But this time he managed to be filmed. The case of the unknown “iron man” was taken over by the FBI.

Unlike fairy-tale and semi-fairy characters who flew on a broomstick, in a mortar, on an airplane carpet or with the help of magic boots, modern wizards use jetpacks for flying.What is a jetpack? Who invented and created it and how? What are the capabilities of the new aircraft? Let’s tell the details.

What to wear to fly away?

Jetpack (also called jetpack) is probably the most compact of all possible aircraft. As the name suggests, the backpack, which houses the jet engine, is located behind the pilot’s back. This aircraft can only lift one person into the air.To start it, you need a platform of only 1×1 m.

Jetpacks are of two types: with a rocket engine or with a turbojet engine. In any case, the pilot must wear a heat-resistant suit to avoid burns from the engine.

Rocket packs were the first to appear. They are the simplest. The engine in the backpack consists of a corset, a frame, two cylinders with concentrated (90%) hydrogen peroxide and one cylinder with compressed nitrogen, tubes and nozzles. Compressed nitrogen displaces hydrogen peroxide.Passing through the catalyst plates, it decomposes into hydrogen and oxygen. These gases ignite and a jet is emitted from the nozzles.

Two levers and a draft regulator vernier are used for control. This type of “newfangled device” is relatively safe. But rocket packs require a lot of fuel. Because of this, the flight lasts only 20-30 seconds. They say that, if desired, a rocket pack can be made in a garage “on the knee”, and enthusiasts now obtain hydrogen peroxide of the required concentration using electrolysis at home installations.

But Chinese farmers do not need hydrogen peroxide either.

A 53-year-old Wuhan resident assembled an apparatus of a design named after himself on his knee and flew.

Wuhan, this is Wuhan. They eat what they want, fly as they want.

Another type of backpack is equipped with a turbojet engine. As in large aviation, kerosene or gasoline is used as fuel. On such aircraft, you can climb higher and stay in the air longer than on rocket ones.But a complex and expensive design is the main disadvantage of such devices. Inside the jetpack there is a by-pass turbojet engine. In it, the incoming air is compressed by a compressor and divided into two streams. The first stream mixes with fuel, which burns and releases energy, while the second stream of air serves to cool and protect the pilot from overheating. The nozzles of the turbojet knapsack can direct the jet stream not only downwards, but also in any other direction.

Achievements of shoulder masters

Jetpacks did not appear today, and not even quite yesterday.If you believe the network sources, then the Russian engineer Alexander Andreev began working on a seemingly “completely crazy” idea around the beginning of the second decade of the last century. In 1928, having already acquired the status of a Soviet engineer, he received a patent for his invention.

However, the first working model of a jetpack was made only in 1952 by the American Thomas Moore. The American engineer worked on the design of the missiles together with the creator of the FAU-1 and the FAU-2, Werner von Braun, removed from Germany, defeated in 1945.After the interest shown by the military, tests took place. But the flying machine created by Thomas Moore was able to lift a person into the air for only a few seconds. The project was canceled.

In 1961, Harold Graham ascended with a flying knapsack designed by the namesake of the “pioneer” Wendell Moore to a height of three and a half dozen meters. The tests of Wendell Moore’s jetpack took a very long time. Taking part in them, Wendell seriously injured his kneecap and could no longer rise into the air. To facilitate the construction, he made a flying backpack from fiberglass.

According to the official version, the high cost of concentrated hydrogen peroxide kept the American military from further development. One twenty-second flight took 19 liters. The grant for this project was $ 25 thousand. For the next development, in 1969, the military allocated $ 35 million to Wendell Moore. the weight of the backpack is 50 kg), and due to the high danger, the project was again curtailed.

One gets the impression that after that they put the jetpacks in the “back box”, forgetting about them for a long time. However, in 1984, at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, William Sutor reminded the world of an exotic flying machine. He took off for 20 seconds. His satchel weighed 54 kg.

In spite of records

In 2008, the first jetpack from New Zealand’s Martin Jetpack was introduced for commercial use.This model could lift up to 120 kg into the air, flew for up to 30 minutes and could reach an altitude of 2.5 km. The fuel was gasoline. Experts report that Martin Jetpack had every chance of becoming the market leader. But work on the second series dragged on, and in 2019 this company closed.

Model JB-9 2015

In 2008, the Swiss pilot Yves Rossi flew over the English Channel in a jetpack. In 2011, he flew over the Alps. In 2013, Yves Rossi in Japan flew around Mount Fuji.

In 2015, the founder of Jetpack Aviatio, former commercial pilot David Mayman, circled the Statue of Liberty in New York with a jetpack weighing 38.5 kg during a ten-minute flight. His jetpack model JB-9, allowed to fly at altitudes up to 3 thousand meters, at speeds up to 100 km / h.

In the same year, the already mentioned Yves Rossi at an altitude of 1000 m flew next to the Airbus F380 aircraft. Unlike the 2020 experiments, this flight was coordinated with ground services and with the Airbus pilots.

In 2016 in Monaco, the next JB-10 jetpack took David Mayman back into the air. The JB-10 was more compact than its predecessor. It could fly for up to 10 minutes with the same altitude ceiling and speeds up to 160 km / h.

In Monaco, photo JetPack Aviation

The JB-11 was demonstrated in 2018. Its design speed was already up to 320 km / h, and the “ceiling” was 4.5 km. The maximum flight range is 32 km, the maximum cargo weight is 120 kg.Flight time is up to 12 minutes. It is reported that 20 of these devices were purchased by the Dubai authorities for use in emergency situations, such as fighting fires.

In February 2020, Yves Rossi and Frenchman Vince Refet repeated the trick with the same Airbus A380 in Dubai. Vince Refett’s flight lasted three minutes. A little later, he repeated his flight, reaching a speed of 240 km / h. This is a world record for jetpacks.

The height of errors does not forgive

Air force experts say that because of the high speed and rarefaction of the air, flights at an altitude of more than one kilometer are dangerous to humans.In the event of a jetpack equipment failure, which occurred at a much lower altitude, the pilot will face inevitable death. And yet, despite the obvious danger of such aircraft, reports of disasters are negligible. In December 2019, for the first time in history, a jetpack flight ended tragically. Jetpack exploded at a height of seven meters. The pilot, 49-year-old Kelman James Riches, was killed. In November 2020, Vince Refett crashed while training.

Vince Refet on February 14, 2020 in Dubai.

In 30 seconds he reached an altitude of 1000 meters and a speed of approx. 240 km / h

At the end of a 3-minute flight, performing aerobatics (roll and loop) at an altitude of 1800 m,

Vince opened his parachute and landed safely at Skydive Dubai.

And yet, among many extreme enthusiasts, such aircraft are becoming more and more popular. Some build them themselves. The secret of success lies in the successful design of two main components: the gas generator and the draft control valve.(This is why Wendell Moore needed such a long test.) The widespread adoption of new aircraft is also hindered by the fact that concentrated hydrogen peroxide is now produced in very small quantities by large chemical companies. And electrolysis at home is expensive and troublesome.

In addition to those described above, jetpacks with wings are also being developed. It is practically impossible to start on them from the ground, and a parachute is used for landing. With a wing pack, you can fly for about 10 minutes.Various aerobatics are available during the flight. The flight range is several tens of kilometers.

One of these models was designed by the already mentioned Yves Rossi. His Jetman winged pack can accelerate to 300 km / h and has a ceiling of about 800 meters. The weight of the knapsack, fully filled with fuel, is 55 kg, the wingspan is 2 m. Fuel is aviation kerosene. The Jetman has a fixed wing. Flight control occurs only due to the displacement of the center of mass. (Unlike a hang glider, where the pilot can move under the plane of the wing, in the Yves Rossi aircraft, the wing is rigidly fixed on the back, and the pilot controls the flight only by moving his arms, legs and head.) But even this is enough to perform aerobatics of varying complexity.

Some publications mention that flying backpacks have good prospects of becoming, if not personal, then extreme and commercial transport – for example, not only for extinguishing fires at high altitudes, but also for emergency delivery of goods. The control of many models is quite simple, and most importantly, it does not require a pilot’s license. As already mentioned, any 1 sq. M. Area is suitable for vertical take-off.m.

Wrap up the jetpack for me, please!

I don’t know how much you can trust the prices for such products that are obtained from the global network. But in an advertisement for training flights led by David Meiman (the one who first flew around the Statue of Liberty), they ask for $ 4,950 for a twenty-minute training session with a JB-10 jetpack. In addition to the unforgettable impressions of the flight and all-day communication with the pilot-inventor himself, the novice pilot will receive a custom-made thermal protective suit as a gift.The already mentioned Dubai authorities paid 200,000 for each of the twenty P12 jetpacks (it can fly up to 30 minutes at an altitude of up to 1.5 km). For private customers, the offer price of jetpacks is on average from 250 to 350 thousand US dollars. The maximum cost of a jetpack is $ 443,428. This amount includes the cost of training.

© ESiO, Vladimir Nadezhdin, February 10, 2021

Jetlev Flyer jetpack

Can a person fly? Yes.Now it is possible! The dream has come true! More recently, a new fun for people with great opportunities has appeared on the market – the Jetlev Flyer jet backpack. This backpack will help you become a “Water Superman”, persons from 1.5 to 2.0 meters in height and weighing from 40 to 120 kg. This exotic craft is designed to fly over water.

Powerful water jets are sent into the air of the owner of the Jetlev Flyer, creating jet thrust. The pump and fuel tank are located inside a small boat, from which a 10-meter hose goes to the knapsack. Jetpack called Jetlev R200 – the brainchild of the American company Jetlev Technologies and Canadian Raymond Li.The Jetlev can be used in fresh and salt water. Its metal parts are made of stainless steel or anodized aluminum with a Teflon coating to resist corrosion and abrasion, the rest is made of various composites and polymers.

Characteristics of the Jetlev Flyer jet backpack: the weight of the backpack is 14 kilograms, the weight of the boat is 295 kg, the length of the boat is 3.23 meters. A 200-horsepower four-stroke engine drives a pump that supplies water to nozzles located behind the pilot’s back.He controls the work of the jets with the help of the handles and can arbitrarily change the speed, direction and altitude, fly, dipping his feet into the water, dive for a short time, dive back and hover in one place.

The maximum lifting force of the knapsack is about 1900 Newtons. Jetlev Flyer’s 100-liter tank is enough for 2-3 hours of cruising flights or one hour of full throttle. The maximum speed of the vehicle (with a pilot weighing 68 kg) is 35 km / h. The maximum climb height, measured by the pilot’s foot, reaches 8.5 meters.

Jetlev Flyer jet backpack, according to the assurances of the developers, is absolutely safe. The creators of the Jetlev Flyer water pack spent several years working on its reliability and safety before deciding that the product was ready for public sale. To refine the technology, 30 testers performed several hundred flights on a number of prototypes. The authors of the system note that the risk of injury when falling into the water even from several meters in height is minimized due to the protection that the backpack provides to its pilot.The device itself has a positive buoyancy, so if necessary, it will help a person to stay on the water. And, besides, in an emergency, the pilot can quickly unfasten the straps that tie him to the knapsack.

The partner of Jetlev Technologies, the German company MS Watersports, has licensed the production of its own modification of the backpack called Jetlev-Flyer. It differs from its American counterpart in more powerful engines for a water pump (220 and 250 hp), but, on the limiting characteristics of the aircraft, this did not affect much.The most powerful modification develops a jet thrust of 2220 Newtons.

The German company MS Watersports offers a choice of two models. The more expensive version uses more carbon fiber composites in the construction, while the younger unit uses more fiberglass.

The creators of the novelty believe that at the resorts, there will be no end to those wishing to fly on water pillars. However, you can also buy a Jetlev Flyer jet backpack! The control of many models is simple and does not require a pilot’s license, and any 1 sq. M. Area is suitable for vertical take-off.m.

Indulge in the captivating pleasure of flight and freedom that only the JETLEV-FLYER jet backpack can give you! Feel like James Bond!

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