More rocket-belts and trained operators are beyond the planning stage. Rocket-belts are seen as a solution for traffic-jammed commuting and also as a way to enable humane rescues from hard-to-reach locations. A modified rocket-belt may become humanity’s preferred choice after landing on the moon. The Bell Rocket Belt was developed to achieve integrated propulsion free-flight, fulfilling a long-standing dream on April 20, 1961. The Army financed the project with hopes of making foot soldiers resemble Buck Rogers. The belt carried about 30 seconds of fuel and allowed a test flight gently above a truck. Interest in jetpacks continues through popular sci-fi heroes and audiences asking why such devices are not available now.
"“The prospect of more rocket-belts and more trained operators is already beyond the planning stage.” Roach adds that “some see [rocket-belts] as the answer for the traffic-jammed commuter,” while “others see humane rescues from points of difficult access.” Even more remarkably, a modified rocket-belt “may well become man's preferred choice ... after landing on the surface of the moon.”"
"Roach's optimistic report can be found in Technology and Culture; specifically, the Fall 1963 edition. He's writing about the making of the Bell Rocket Belt, which, on April 20, 1961, fulfilled what Roach called “one of man's ageless dreams-unencumbered free-flight utilizing an integrated propulsion system.” It's not quite “slipped the surly bonds of Earth,” but the enthusiasm is certainly there."
"In reporting on the Bell Rocket Belt in 1961, Life even noted that “The Army, which financed it, hopes it will someday make foot soldiers all look like Buck Rogers.” The belt only had 30 seconds of fuel and allowed engineer Harold Graham to fly “gently above a truck.”"
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