space delivery vehicle arc transports materials anywhere
Inversion unveils Arc, the dubbed world’s first space delivery vehicle that can transport materials to Earth. Designed to send and deliver cargo from space to any place on Earth in less than one hour, the spacecraft can also be used for high-speed flight tests known as hypersonic testing. Arc uses an actively controlled parachute system that is able to steer, maneuver, redirect, and softly touch down to protect its frame and the goods it is shipping. It relies on the LA-based company’s custom-built processing core and is powered by AI and control algorithms.
The space delivery vehicle Arc starts its mission by being launched into low Earth orbit using a rocket. After it reaches orbit, it moves around the planet in space, and when a delivery is needed, the spacecraft receives a signal from Earth. Then it leaves orbit, enters the atmosphere, and travels through the air at very high speed. During reentry back to Earth, Arc can move sideways across long distances, allowing it to change its path while it comes down. When it reaches a lower altitude, it slows down and lands using parachutes. The full flight happens without a pilot and works through autonomous control systems. On October 2nd, 2025, the team conducted precision drop testing, showcasing that the space delivery vehicle Arc is able to land and ship goods on its own.
all images courtesy of Inversion
Reusable and modular spacecraft made of lightweight metals
Inversion’s Arc can carry payloads such as equipment, food, or other mission cargo. Its payload bay is designed to fit different shapes and sizes of materials. The company says that several Arc vehicles can be placed in orbit at the same time to form constellations, and each ‘constellation’ can serve a different region or customer depending on need. The space delivery vehicle is made from lightweight metals and heat-resistant composites that can survive extreme heat during reentry from space. Its body is shaped to control air pressure and reduce heat load.
The spacecraft includes different main sections. The outer shell and internal frame hold all the parts together, while the payload bay in the middle stores the goods. There are layers of lightweight and heatproof materials on the surface to protect Arc when it enters again on Earth, and there’s also a small engine system used to adjust its position and speed in space. The vehicle’s thermal protection system is made with help from NASA, designed for high-temperature environments that occur when a spacecraft moves from space into the atmosphere.
Inversion unveils Arc, the dubbed world’s first space delivery vehicle that can transport materials to Earth
Vehicle that doubles as test platform for hypersonic flight
Besides delivering cargo, Arc can be used as a test platform for hypersonic flight, and the company believes that the dubbed first space delivery vehicle, Arc, can reach speeds above Mach 20 and can hold those speeds for long periods. So far, the spacecraft may also create and withstand high g-forces, which are the pressure forces that happen during fast movement. The team adds that the vehicle can land safely and be reused; each test can be repeated quickly. This helps reduce the cost of hypersonic experiments and speeds up development.
The spacecraft Arc can deliver cargo to ‘any place on Earth’ where normal transport systems are not possible, including remote regions, disaster zones, or military areas without airports or roads. Arc follows earlier work by Inversion’s first spacecraft called Ray, which was launched in January 2025. The Ray mission helped test important systems such as solar panels, propulsion, and separation technology. These systems became the foundation for the space delivery vehicle, and at the present time, the company plans Arc’s first flight mission for 2026.
the vehicle uses a parachute to land safely on land and protect its shipped goods
the space delivery vehicle Arc starts its mission by being launched into low Earth orbit using a rocket
during reentry back to Earth, the spacecraft can move sideways across long distances
the frame of the spacecraft is made of lightweight and heatproof materials
the vehicle’s thermal protection system is made with help from NASA
the company plans the spacecraft’s first flight mission for 2026
project info:
name: Arc
company: Inversion | @inversionspace
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