A new era in logistics: The Arc spacecraft promises to deliver any cargo from orbit to anywhere on Earth within an hour

07.10.2025 source : https://tech.news.am

California-based company Inversion has unveiled an innovative spacecraft called Arc, designed to deliver cargo from orbit to any point on Earth in under an hour. The vehicle, introduced on October 1, 2025, is set to become part of a global logistics network providing “transformative reach, resilience, and deterrence” for the United States and its allies, according to Inversion’s CEO and co-founder Justin Fiaschetti.

What Is Arc?

Arc is an autonomous, reusable spacecraft measuring 2.4 meters in length and 1.2 meters in width, capable of precision landings using a parachute system. It is designed to store critical equipment in orbit and deliver it instantly back to Earth — effectively opening “space as a new logistics domain with unprecedented speed and global accessibility.”

Capabilities and Potential

Arc boasts exceptional performance features, including high maneuverability during all flight phases and the ability to cover vast distances during atmospheric reentry. The spacecraft can travel at speeds exceeding Mach 20, making it an ideal platform for testing hypersonic technologies.

Inversion already has experience with orbital missions. In January 2025, its prototype spacecraft Ray was launched as part of SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission. Although Ray was unable to return to Earth due to an engine issue, it successfully tested key technologies in orbit, marking a crucial step toward developing Arc.

Development Progress and Upcoming Missions

According to Inversion’s co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Austin Briggs, the first Arc mission is scheduled for 2026. The company has made major strides toward readiness:

A full-scale structural prototype has been completed.
Dozens of drop tests have been conducted to refine precision landing capabilities.
Advanced aerodynamic modeling and detailed component design have been finalized.
A next-generation thermal protection system, developed in collaboration with NASA, is ready for extreme reentry conditions.

“Each phase brings Arc closer to full flight readiness, and the pace of progress is only accelerating,” Briggs emphasized.

Competition in Orbital Logistics

Inversion isn’t the only company pursuing orbital cargo delivery. Varda Space has already launched four return capsules — three of which successfully landed back on Earth — designed for pharmaceutical manufacturing in space. Meanwhile, Outpost is developing reusable “orbital containers” capable of 90-minute deliveries.

However, Arc distinguishes itself through unmatched speed and potential military applications, positioning it as a unique solution for strategic missions and rapid-response logistics.

In Brief…

Inversion’s Arc spacecraft promises to deliver payloads from orbit to any point on Earth in under an hour. The reusable, hypersonic vehicle aims to create a global logistics network for the U.S. and its allies. With its first mission slated for 2026 and prototype testing already underway, Arc represents a major leap forward in orbital logistics and hypersonic technology.