A new era of global logistics is on the horizon, as a Los Angeles-based startup prepares to launch a reusable orbital spacecraft capable of delivering cargo anywhere on Earth in under an hour. Inversion Space’s Arc promises to reshape how military, humanitarian, and commercial organizations move goods, offering unprecedented speed and precision.
Revolutionizing Delivery Speed
Arc is designed for hypersonic flight, capable of reaching speeds over 15,000 mph—more than Mach 20. The spacecraft can transport up to 500 pounds of cargo and land within 15 to 50 feet of its target, regardless of terrain. This level of accuracy and speed is made possible by autonomous parachute landings and non-toxic propellants, allowing for immediate cargo handling. Inversion Space envisions Arc as a “warehouse in space,” pre-positioned in low-Earth orbit and ready for instant activation. Once commanded, it deorbits, executes hypersonic maneuvers, and lands with pinpoint accuracy.
Leadership and Industry Support
The company was founded by Justin Fiaschetti, a former SpaceX propulsion engineer, and Austin Briggs, an early engineer at ABL Space Systems. Their combined expertise leads a 60-person team operating out of a 55,000-square-foot facility in Los Angeles and a test site in the Mojave Desert. Inversion Space collaborates with NASA and the U.S. Space Force, leveraging specialized knowledge in thermal protection and hypersonic flight. Major partners include Kratos Defense, which leads hypersonic testing, and SpaceWERX, which awarded a $71 million STRATFI contract. Investors such as Y Combinator, Lockheed Martin Ventures, and Spark Capital provide financial backing and access to critical aerospace infrastructure.
Dual-Use Capabilities and Technical Innovation
Arc is not only a cargo delivery vehicle but also a hypersonic test platform. It can replicate next-generation threat trajectories, sustain high g-loads, and support prolonged testing at Mach 20+, strengthening U.S. defense research. The spacecraft’s lifting-body design allows for active steering, controlled descent, and landing on water, snow, or ground. NASA-provided heatshields ensure safety during reentry, while autonomous guidance, deorbit propulsion, solar panels, and reliable separation mechanisms have been validated through prior missions. These innovations enable Arc to operate reliably under extreme conditions.
Operational Timeline and Regulatory Challenges
Arc’s first orbital flight is scheduled for 2026, with full constellation deployment targeted for 2028. The goal is to produce hundreds of Arc spacecraft annually, creating a global on-demand logistics network. Early drop tests and aerodynamic modeling are already complete, but regulatory hurdles remain. The spacecraft requires FAA certification for reentry and landing, and hypersonic navigation must be refined. High-frequency launch and recovery processes also need scaling to meet operational demands.
Global Impact and Future Prospects
Arc’s 621-mile cross-range capability ensures near-global coverage, enabling rapid delivery between major cities and remote regions. Military logistics could see transit times reduced by roughly 90%, with forward brigades and disaster-response teams receiving critical supplies in under an hour. Humanitarian applications include emergency medical supplies, vaccines, food, and water delivered to disaster-struck or isolated areas. Commercially, Arc could support global commerce, medical supply chains, and consumer shipments, opening new markets and opportunities.
Inversion Space’s Arc represents a transformative leap in global logistics. Its hypersonic speed, precision, and dual-use capabilities set the stage for a future where one-hour global connectivity becomes a reality, reshaping how the world moves goods and responds to crises.