Now they cost about 250,000 dollars and only allow you to fly for a few minutes at best.
2007-11-19 01:47:54 · 8 answers · asked by needliberty 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
Unless someone comes up with a safe, small nuclear powered jet pack that uses air as the working fluid, no.
There just is not enough energy in a chemical process to make a jet pack that can work for more than just a few minutes at a size that is practical. At best a turbo jet pack of today will give you 2-3 minutes of flight with a pack that a man can barely carry. Imagine how big it would have to be to give you even a half hour of flight.
Look up single man solar powered hot air balloons. That is affordable, available today and you can go for hours.
2007-11-19 04:40:48 · answer #1 · answered by forgivebutdonotforget911 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. If there was ever a time for very inefficient use of power it has gone, so even if the technology would allow a working and practical jet pack (the ones used in the past had flight times in seconds) nobody will be able to afford to use it. Then there's the noise, safety and traffic control issues. Not even science fiction writers talk about jet packs.
I'm afraid I think the same is true for the flying car. You need vertical takeoff and that is hugely wasteful of power. Then you need competent operators, and the people willing to go through the expense and inconvenience of the training are already flying.
I know there's a 'working' air car, but working and practical are two very different things.
Maybe if fusion power gets going, other than that this is like one of those household robots they talked about in the 60s, it's just not the practical solution that people are looking for.
2007-11-19 10:45:01 · answer #2 · answered by Chris H 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is always that possibility. Propulsion technology is changing a lot these days, and sopmeday the cost to make a jet pack could be as low as buying a car or a moped.
Practically speaking, of course, I doubt that the technology of jetpack will ever get off the ground (pun intended). In the future, air travel will certainly be a lot different than it is right now. I believe that the "highway in the sky" that NASA is currently developing will be a reality, and that computer controlled aircars will be owned by individuals. Maybe not everyone like cars are today, but by more than just the super-rich.
This will only be possible, however, with a large amount of automation. The current system of planes flying themselves is now feasible because there just aren't that many airplanes in the sky these days. There are a lot more than 50 years ago, but there's still a lot of empty sky. To get the kind of volume required to replace cars, you would have to have a computer controlled system, humans just aren't precise enough.
That was a long digression to lead my back to your original question. Because of this automation, jetpacks are unlikely to be a viable option in the future. Also, they would not be safe enough for the general public to use. (Think about how many people still cannot operate a car well) Lastly, they would not be a comfortable way to travel. Think about it like a motorcycle is now. It's a great way to go when the weather is nice and conditions are great. But when it's raining or snowing, it sucks to be on a bike. The same would be true for jetpacks, but then you'd have to add in clouds as well. Since you would have to navigate visually, you would only be able to operate them on certain days.
My guess would be that someone will develop a cheap jetpack, but that it will largely be for recreational use only.
2007-11-19 10:12:54 · answer #3 · answered by pdkflyguy 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
no.
oh yes.. everyone would be able to afford it, even the people from africa, starving to death.
jet propelled freaks everywhere. in 50 years from now we are going to thank God or whatever the technology, that we are able to drive our cars powered by the oil crops or through the ethanol. jetpacks? no, truly not.
2007-11-19 09:57:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Forget it.
For a really elevating experience, put your ear to your girlfriend's bellybutton and see if you can hear the ocean. That's the closest you'll get to personal flight.
2007-11-19 15:37:18 · answer #5 · answered by aviophage 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
not in 5 decades
2007-11-19 11:57:37 · answer #6 · answered by GSH 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
shure they will be good
george jetson
2007-11-19 15:28:36 · answer #7 · answered by tim g 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No.
2007-11-19 09:55:53 · answer #8 · answered by Mark 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋