# Our FPS thruster redesign is 82% lighter and 94% cheaper | Jetoptera

- Canonical URL: https://wefunder.com/feed/378449
- Entity ID: wefunder:feed_item:378449
- Published at: 2026-09-01 22:04:12 UTC
- Updated at: 2026-09-02 13:46:40 UTC

## Author
Andrei Tristan Evulet

## Subject
Jetoptera

## Content
In recent weeks, I’ve touched on our thruster redesign that was born out of our Project Pegasus. Now I want to go into more detail about how key this redesign is to our aircraft and to the future of flight.When we started Project Pegasus in preparation to enter the DARPA Lift Challenge, the 55-pound aircraft limit forced us to rethink the thruster from the ground up.As we explored various options, we first looked at ceramics and eventually landed on very thin stainless steel. We designed thrusters that are now made by stamping extremely thin sheet metal into shape and welding them together by robotic laser welders, the same way an automotive supplier stamps seatbelt and battery supports hardware for companies like VW and BMW. And we found a manufacturer in Germany that could produce the parts for us at scale.The results: our new thrusters cost 94% less and weigh 82% less than the previous ceramic versions. Each one now weighs under a kilogram. Stainless Steel is cheaper, abundant therefore affordable and more durable than both aluminum and CMCs.This directly changes the unit economics of building our aircraft. Every aircraft design must balance the constant tug of war between durability, weight, and cost. Our new thrusters give us the best of all worlds across every aircraft in our J-Series, since they all share the same Fluidic Propulsive System® architecture. Any weight saved translates into higher payloads and greater flight range for last-mile delivery, air taxi routes, and emergency rescue missions. And the cost savings make our aircraft more accessible to a wider audience.Next, these thrusters move into bench testing, followed by a flight demo on a larger frame. I'll share results as they come in.Our round is 85%+ sold out and filling fast. If you believe bladeless propulsion is where aviation is headed, now is the time to invest or increase your position.