Whether it was the real thing or a gimmick, the jet pack has been in popular culture since the early days of the space program. It has been featured on many science fiction TV shows and movies. Star Wars movies and TV programs are some of the most iconic movies and TV shows to feature jetpacks.
Amazing Stories published a 1928 story about a man who flew on a jetpack. This idea would become popular in the 1920s and 1930s, and was later popularized in science fiction novels and pulp magazines. Many science fiction novels, TV shows and movies featuring jetpacks were created in the 1950s/60s. The Skylark of Space inspired some of these stories. It is a film about a man who flew a rocket into space. In some stories, a flying backpack would be used to transport one soldier to the front. Bell Aerosystems developed the jetpack technology for US Space Program in the 1960s. Williams Research Corporation and Bell Aerosystems were the first to do so.
The Bell Aerosystems Jetpack, also known as the Bell Rocket Belt, was a two-jet pack that could propel the wearer upwards for 21 second. The Rocket Belt was successfully tested by Bell Aerosystems during the 1960s. A contract was signed with DARPA in 1965. It was made of hydrogen peroxide as well as pressurized nitrogen. It was a simple two jet pack that could be strapped on to the back.
Bell Aerosystems also created the Bell Pogo system that was intended to transport astronauts to the Moon. The modified aircraft engine that powered the system was chosen for its power. It was originally designed for NASA but was eventually adopted by the US Army. It was tested between 1967 and 1969, and was finally developed into the Bell Jet Flying Belt. It was lightweight and could fly for as much as seven metres with a maximum height of 25 minutes.
Bell Aerosystems and Williams Research Corporation developed a new jetpack, called the Jet Flying Belt. It was designed to be powered by a turbojet engine, and had a rated thrust of 1,900 newtons. It was designed so that a pilot could be carried up to seven metres high and reach a maximum flight speed (30 mph).
Bell Aerosystems was a great aviation company of the postwar jet age. The company's first jetpack was the Bell Rocket Belt, and the Jet Flying Belt was a follow-up. After conducting research on missile engine designs, the company invented the Jet Flying Belt. It received $3 million funding from the Advanced Research Projects Agency. In January 2005, the first prototype was put to the test.
Williams Research Corporation developed a new turbojet engine for Bell Aerosystems in 1969. The WR19 engine, which weighed 68 pounds, had a rated thrust of 1,900 Newtons. It was designed to Bell's specifications.
Bell Aerosystems created the Bell Pogo, a system that was powered by a modified airplane engine. It was made to be used in space by US astronauts. It was created for NASA and the US Army.