Arc by Inversion Space: status and timeline

Arc

Autonomous reentry vehicle: deliver cargo from orbit to any point <1 hour. Hypersonic reentry (Mach 20+), autonomous landing, reusable. Serves military logistics and commercial delivery.

ProtoStage 2 of 5

Full-scale MDU built, drop tests complete; first operational mission 2026.

Updated 6 Oct 2025Checked 10 Oct0 updates this week

Milestones

Next · First operational Arc mission

Ray launch validates Arc subsystems14 Jan 2025Complete.
Full-scale manufacturing development unit built2025Complete.
Drop tests validate landing precision2025Complete.
Arc unveiled publiclyOct 2025Complete.
First operational Arc missionTarget 2026Not yet reached.
MACH-TB 2.0 hypersonic testing beginsTarget 2026Not yet reached.

Most important updates

Inversion Space unveils Arc autonomous reentry vehicle for global cargo delivery6 Oct 2025

Upcoming

2026First operational Arc mission (next)
2026MACH-TB 2.0 hypersonic testing begins
2027MACH-TB 2.0 hypersonic testing flights
2027Commercial space-to-Earth delivery service begins

Current obstacles

GPS-denied landing precisionJammed GPS and cloud cover; optical nav needs computer vision and terrain matching.
Test flight cost and riskEach mission is expensive and risky; validation needs ground tests, drops, and flights.
Thermal protection system reusabilityArc's heat shield must survive Mach 20+ and be refurbishable or replaceable cheaply; ablative materials (used once) are simpler but defeat the reuse goal.

Physics limits

Heating limits payload and speedMach 20 = 1,600°C; protecting 500 lb needs thick shields. Heavier payloads spiral the weight.
Orbital decay over timeAtmospheric drag causes altitude loss; storage years need periodic propulsive boosts.

How it works

4 parts

Orbital warehouse

Store cargo in space for rapid delivery

Payloads orbit until needed; command triggers reentry in <1 hour globally.

Autonomous reentry

Navigate hypersonic reentry without ground support

Onboard guidance and optical nav steer through Mach 20+ without GPS; denied-area capable.

Precision landing

Parachute system for controlled descent

Parachutes slow subsonic descent to precise landing for recovery and reuse.

Reusability

Return for refurbishment

Lands safely for recovery and refurbishment, reducing per-mission cost over time.

Spec sheet

Spec	Arc
Payload capacity	500 lbs^R (reported)
Global delivery time	<1 hour^R (reported)
Reentry speed (peak)	Mach 20+^R (reported)
Orbital storage duration	Up to 5 years^R (reported)

^R reported by the company

Papers & demos

1 item

14 Jan 2025demo
Ray spacecraft launch on SpaceX Transporter-12 (opens spacex.com)Validated avionics, solar panels, propulsion, and separation systems; paved the way for Arc reentry vehicle design.

Update log

1 update

Mon 6 Oct 2025

Major: Inversion Space unveils Arc autonomous reentry vehicle for global cargo deliveryPressHardware

About Inversion Space

The team behind Arc

Inversion Space

Reentry vehicle, space logistics, hypersonic testing platform

Inversion develops autonomous reentry vehicles for space logistics: deliver cargo from orbit to any point on Earth in <1 hour. Founded 2021 by Boston University alumni.

Ray spacecraft: 25 engineers, <$1M, launched Jan 2025; validates Arc systems.
$71M Space Force STRATFI award (Sept 2024) for military reentry vehicle R&D.
Arc: 500 lb payloads, Mach 20+ reentry, autonomous landing; for logistics and hypersonic R&D.

inversionspace.com (opens inversionspace.com)Company profile →

Founded: 20215 yrs
Headquarters: United States
Status: Private
Valuation: private
Staff: ~113Jan 2026
Raised: $54M2 rounds
Last round: Series A · $44M20 Nov 2024
Works in: SpaceflightIn-space manufacturing
Coverage: 2 programs · 8 updateslatest 6 Oct 2025checked 10 Oct
Lead investors: Spark CapitalAdjacentSpace Force SpaceWERXY Combinator
Customers: U.S. Space Force (opens spaceforce.mil)SpaceX (opens spacex.com)
Partners: Anduril (opens anduril.com)Kratos (opens kratosdefense.com)NASA (opens nasa.gov)
Investors: Lockheed Martin Ventures (opens lockheedmartin.com)
People: Justin Fiaschetti (opens inversionspace.com)CEO and Co-founderAustin BriggsCTO and Co-founder

Spec

Arc

Payload capacity

500 lbs^R (reported)

Global delivery time

<1 hour^R (reported)

Reentry speed (peak)

Mach 20+^R (reported)

Orbital storage duration

Up to 5 years^R (reported)