Arc

Arc is a reusable, uncrewed reentry capsule developed by Inversion Space of Los Angeles, California, for storing cargo in orbit and delivering it to a landing site on Earth on demand. Arc had not yet flown as of its most recent public updates; the company has targeted the vehicle's first orbital mission for 2026.

Design and capabilities

Inversion describes Arc as "autonomous, reusable, and low-cost," built to function in orbit as a kind of reusable satellite: it launches into low Earth orbit, where it can store a cargo payload for up to five years before being commanded to return to Earth. The company's own product diagram labels the vehicle at roughly 8 ft by 4 ft (about 2.4 by 1.2 m), and shows a stated reentry cross-range of more than 1,000 km, meaning it can steer substantially off a straight reentry path to reach a wider range of landing zones. Inversion's news page, summarising outside coverage of the vehicle, describes cargo coming down from orbit by parachute.

Trade press reporting around Arc's October 2025 unveiling put its payload capacity at up to 500 lb (about 227 kg) of cargo. Inversion has said the vehicle is also intended for hypersonic flight testing, drawing on the same reentry environment the cargo mission requires.

Programme status

Arc follows Ray, Inversion's smaller first-generation reentry demonstrator, which launched on SpaceX's Transporter-12 rideshare mission in January 2025. Inversion has been awarded a Space Force SpaceWERX contract supporting reentry vehicle development, has been selected for Kratos' MACH-TB 2.0 hypersonic test programme, and is working with NASA to study aerocapture, a technique for using a vehicle's aerodynamics to enter orbit without expending propellant. No Arc vehicle had flown as of the most recent company and press updates.

Frequently asked questions

Has Arc flown yet?

No. As of the latest public updates, Inversion Space had not flown an Arc vehicle; the company has targeted a first orbital mission for 2026.

How much cargo can Arc carry?

Press coverage of its October 2025 unveiling cites a payload capacity of up to 500 lb, about 227 kg.

Does Arc carry people?

No. Arc is an uncrewed cargo and technology-demonstration vehicle.

How long can Arc stay in orbit before returning?

Inversion Space says Arc can store cargo in orbit for up to five years before being called down to a landing site.