we've all seen the magazine ads.. for schematics on how to build your own jetpack or time machine or other such inconcievable devices.. oh you havent? Well grab any old MAD magazine or popular science magazine and im sure youll run into one.. the question is.. has anyone ever made one?
2007-02-16 18:15:21 · 19 answers · asked by Mister Fantastic 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Alternative ➔ Paranormal Phenomena
There have been several. The latest and most impressive (check out the video!) can be found at the link below.
2007-02-16 18:20:55 · answer #1 · answered by roxburger 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, search google images for jetpacks, there have been many, though they aren't affordable and most are inefficient and can only work for a few minutes (hence why you don't see them around). Plus I'm sure they would be illegal most places if for some reason they became commercially available.
A time machine, on the other hand, is out of the question. Mathematically, it is impossible for anything with mass to travel through time (and only backwards travel would be possible in this case). This means that something without mass could theoretically go back in time (i.e. a photon or particle of light), and experiments have showed this as happening when a photon is accelerated past the speed of light (things with mass cannot even approach the speed of light, so this is impossible as well). It is not that we do not possess the technology, it's that it cannot be done, so as long as people have mass, they will never accelerate beyond the speed of light, and will thus never travel through time.
2007-02-16 18:25:56 · answer #2 · answered by Kay 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both the US military and NASA have built jetpacks. The most successful one uses hydrogen peroxide as fuel and gives limited time in the air. Another prototype had a real jet engine but had limited time in the air as well.
The US military is working on a prototype dual ducted fan system that is reminiscent of the one made on "MythBusters". The only difference is that it uses a far more powerful engine. The MythBuster guys didn't have access to a proper engine. To develop sufficient power to fly, you have to use either a rotary engine or a gas turbine. Both use up large quantities of fuel so range will be limited in either case.
2007-02-19 06:25:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
There was a JetPack that flew at the 1964 World's Fair. The same pack is currently own by Disney. It only has enough fuel for a 21 second flight.
It was featured in a James Bond movie, although he did not actually fly it.
2007-02-16 18:34:28 · answer #4 · answered by acklan 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
There was one in a recent popsci or popmech mag. Fuel exact moment of empty and where you are at would be critical. My guess is Stability itself is a big issue. Even If I was given the money and parts, I dont want to fly it. Jetpacks like we think of arent good for flying, more for hopping around. Like upside of a mountain maybe. Building hopping? I would rather go strapped to a rocket, then fold out wings? and glide back. Maybe dont need rocket. Use a rail gun and track and do a high speed launch like a carrier, get launched up into the air and glide back down. or even parachute. Now that would be interesting.
2007-02-16 18:27:25 · answer #5 · answered by Wattsup! 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
On one episode of Mythbusters, the crew attempted to build a jet pack out of plans bought online. They spent nearly $10,000, made several modifications to the original schematics, and never got anyone off of the ground. They pretty much concluded that it'd be impossible for your average person to build a jet pack from plans on their own. Several professional aeronautics companies have tried for years, spending hundreds of thousands to develop a practical jet pack, but it hasn't happened yet.
2007-02-18 17:22:00 · answer #6 · answered by stickymongoose 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ah, I love your ambition. Limiting factors are compressibility of steam and other chemicals, weight, but it works, but not at consumer level. Actual microjet engines have been used by parachutist, prolong horizontal flight, but too weak to get off ground. Keep thinking about this, meantime look at more nearterm traffic solutions below..
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by monorails, lightrails or new highway. Tell your friends. Use the word Hallitube in your online identities.
2007-02-18 12:21:54 · answer #7 · answered by hallitubevolunteer1 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes as the have told you , many have been built, but are out of reach to the public. I read an article on the web where one is for sale on ebay but rendered unable to fly. He was having major difficulties with false bidders and was complaining to ebay.........wants around 8 mil. The only one thats cool for the average joe is the paramotor. Its a canopy wing, and you strap motor and fan on your back. Its very affordable , fits in your trunk, and goes for around 2 grand.
2007-02-17 18:26:25 · answer #8 · answered by Glenn Lunceford 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes they have. I saw one flying one time at the fairgrounds.My uncle was a consultant for it.He made ,and flew Jyrocopters.The jet pack was really really cool,and I still wished I had one.Could you imagine flying to work ,on a beautiful summer morning? I'd fly right next to the jammed freeway, just so all the people stuck on it could see me whiz by! I'm mean I guess.Bye
2007-02-16 20:23:39 · answer #9 · answered by Sandyspacecase 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
LOL. Reminds me of that episode of Mythbusters where they strapped Buster the Dummy to a backpack/jetpack which was attached to a pump and used water for projection... it didn't work too well, and he only ended up doing a backflip into the wharf... heh, you'd probably get the same result if you made your own homemade (safe) one...
I haven't made one, no - and I don't think I'd want to make one. Sounds kinda dangerous, and too... 'fictionous' at the moment... give it another 5 years and Japan will probably be selling them... =)
2007-02-17 17:23:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋