Inversion: Building a Space-Powered Logistics Network

Arc, the flagship space-based vehicle from aerospace and defence technology company Inversion, could reshape how critical cargo moves across the planet.

Designed to descend from orbit and land autonomously, Arc brings a new layer of logistics infrastructure that functions above Earth's atmosphere.

Built for both speed and flexibility, Arc operates from low-Earth orbit with the ability to reach any location on Earth in under an hour. That includes remote regions, disaster-hit zones or environments without reliable infrastructure. The aim is to deliver mission-critical cargo with minimal delay, regardless of conditions on the ground.

"With massive cross-range to cover great distances during re-entry, and high manoeuvrability throughout every phase of flight, Arc delivers a transportation capability that has never existed before," says Justin Fiaschetti, Co-Founder and CEO of Inversion.

Logistics from orbit

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Inversion positions Arc as the anchor of a broader orbital logistics network.

The spacecraft features a modular payload bay, adaptable for a wide range of cargo types. Once launched into orbit, Arc vehicles form constellations of varied sizes and placements, tailored to individual customer needs.

On command, an Arc vehicle detaches from its orbiting network, re-enters the atmosphere at hypersonic speeds, then touches down autonomously under parachutes.

Each spacecraft operates without human intervention, increasing reliability and reducing the complexity of coordination. This introduces an entirely new category of logistics – one not constrained by borders or terrestrial infrastructure.

Inversion refers to this concept as space becoming a new logistics domain. The company's view is clear: logistics infrastructure does not need to remain on the surface. Arc creates a delivery layer above Earth, designed to function in sync with ground-based systems and to supplement them when access becomes limited.

This approach directly targets areas where conventional delivery options falter: disaster relief, emergency medical drops, conflict zones or locations without roads or airports. In these cases, Arc acts as a high-speed, high-agility courier.

Hypersonic testing and defence readiness

Arc is more than a delivery platform; it's also a testbed for hypersonic flight.

The vehicle supports testing at speeds exceeding Mach 20 and sustains high g-forces, allowing military organisations to study manoeuvrable re-entry and advanced threat simulation. These capabilities serve the US' national testing goals, particularly in hypersonics – where real-world performance data is essential.

Fully reusable and designed for accurate recovery, Arc makes hypersonic testing more repeatable and less expensive. Inversion's selection for the Kratos-led MACH-TB 2.0 programme reflects growing interest in using Arc for national defence infrastructure.

Arc builds on the flight heritage of Inversion's earlier spacecraft, Ray, which reaches orbit in January 2025.

Ray validates key systems such as propulsion, avionics, solar power and separation mechanics. Inversion develops almost every component in-house using a small team of 25 people. Ray’s entire build costs less than US$1m, showing the company’s ability to create space systems at low cost and high speed.

"Our team is on schedule to fly Arc's first mission in 2026," explains Co-Founder and CTO Austin Briggs.

"We've already built a full-scale manufacturing development unit of the primary structure, completed our first mission profile and run dozens of drop tests to fine-tune accurate landings.

"We have completed advanced aerodynamic modelling, detailed component design and partnered with NASA on a next-generation thermal protection system designed for the most extreme re-entry environments. Every milestone brings Arc closer to flight maturity, and the pace of progress is only accelerating."

Expanding the logistics map

While the initial focus is on defence and national security, Inversion is open about its long-term commercial ambitions. The company sees Arc as the start of a much larger shift – one where logistics is not limited to surface networks but extends into orbit.

"History shows that every breakthrough in logistics – from railroads to aviation – has unlocked new industries and reshaped economies at scales few could have imagined at the start," continues Justin. 

"Arc represents the next leap, creating a logistics network in space that will make Earth radically more accessible."

Over time, Arc's infrastructure could support ecommerce, global supply chains and even humanitarian missions. Its modular design allows for a broad range of payloads, from sensitive electronics to essential medical equipment. The key lies in speed, reach and autonomy.

Arc’s system sidesteps ground-based bottlenecks – customs delays, terrain limitations, weather disruption – and replaces them with direct orbital-to-ground transport. The vehicle's autonomy also means rapid scaling is possible, building a space-powered delivery network that complements existing infrastructure.