What is the V1 Skypak Electric Jetpack exactly?

In the middle of 2020, the development of the first Skypak prototype was started by Ascend Dynamics founder Daniel Gant.  

It never successfully flew, but he upgraded the motors and flight control computer in the second iteration later that year. Giving it enough oomph to take off before the end of the year.  

Over the next year, Gant would upgrade each successive iteration with more rotors and improved yaw control until eventually creating the full-scale V1 prototype.  

That brings us to the present day, in which Ascend Dynamics is ready to share the V1 with the world!  

So, what is the V1 Skypak Electric Jetpack exactly?    

All in all, the Skypak weighs around eighty pounds

This prototype is quite simple as is. An aluminum frame with shoulder straps is meant to be worn as a backpack, while the twelve rotors on either side of the three arms provide lift.  

Each rotor is powered by its own seven-kilowatt motor for a peak power output of around one hundred and twelve horsepower.  

All in all, the Skypak weighs around eighty pounds by itself. Right now, it is not being manned and instead is using a test dummy with a wooden support frame that ups that weight to around one hundred and seventy pounds. 

The whole thing is powered by a fifty-volt lithium-polymer battery pack, giving it a flight time of around two minutes.    

The plans for this next advancement involve larger props

That may not sound too impressive, but that is only where the project is now. Ascend Dynamics has plans to take it further and is currently raising money through PayPal and Patreon donations to develop the next iteration.  

The plans for this next advancement involve larger props inside the prop shield for protection. Increasing the weight to around one hundred pounds and supporting a pilot of approximately two hundred pounds for the first manned flight. 

If the manned flights go well, fingers crossed, Gant says he will try to go commercial with the Skypak 1. It will feature a carbon fiber frame, improved motors, support for pilots up to three hundred pounds, and flight times upward of thirty minutes. 

The uses for such a machine are endless, but specifically in law enforcement, firefighting, military, and engineering fields such as bridge inspections.  

It's a long road to get there, but Gant seems determined to make it a reality. 

Skypak V1 Backpack Specs

Design: Ascend Dynamics 

Location: Poplar, Wisconsin      

Price: TBA 

• Total Power: 112 hp / 84 kw 

• Battery: 50v 36.4 Ah Li-Poly 

• Flight Time: 2 min 

• Rotors: 6 Rotating Pairs 

• Motors: 12 BLDC (7 kw Each) 

• Weight: 80 lbs. / 36 kg 

• Weight With Support Frame: 170 lbs. / 77 kg 

• Dimensions: 46” x 35” x 9” / 1168 x 889 x 228 mm