From Space to Your Doorstep: Startup Inversion Space Aims for Ultra-Fast Global Cargo Delivery

Startup Inversion Space wants to revolutionize logistics with ultra-fast deliveries anywhere on Earth using spacecraft returning from orbit.

The three-year-old firm intends to send fleets of reusable cars into orbit around the planet. These spacecraft will be able to deliver goods in a couple of minutes by reentering the atmosphere and landing using carefully constructed parachutes.

"The advent of aircraft enabled the sky to be utilized for transportation. Inversion seeks to achieve the same breakthrough as space. Historically, countries and groups that have embraced step changes in transportation capabilities have been able to set the rules, build on their foundations, and prosper as a result," Inversion Space noted on its website. "We aim to ensure the US leads the way in this new modality, mirroring its pioneering role with the advent of aircraft."

Inversion Space to Test its Spacecraft Soon

As of right now, Inversion is getting ready to launch its Pathfinder mission in October. SpaceX's Transporter-12 rideshare mission will launch a tiny spacecraft named "Ray" for the mission. Ray's main goal is to test the technology required for their larger, next-generation vehicle, called Arc, per TechCrunch.

With an eye toward the future, Inversion plans to launch Arc, its next-generation vehicle, in 2026, with the promise of increased cargo capacity and greater space delivery capabilities. The business envisions efficient, cost-effective, and accessible space freight transportation for government and commercial organizations through reusability and duration-on-orbit optimization.

Inversion Space's robust vertical integration strategy is highlighted by the fact that the propulsion engine, structure, and even parachutes were all designed and constructed in-house. CEO Justin Fiaschetti says this method speeds up development and adaptability.

Fiaschetti said: "What we saw was that if we can build in-house now, do the hard thing first; that allows us to scale very quickly and meet our customer needs."

Founded in 2021 by Justin Fiaschetti and Austin Briggs, Inversion Space has raised $10 million in venture capital and expanded to employ 25 people. The technology has potential uses in both the public and private sectors, according to the business. Some of these applications include serving as a private space station delivery vehicle or an on-orbit testbed.

Hyperspeed Delivery Service to Benefit Military, Humanitarian Efforts

This development follows an innovation in the delivery service sector announced this week. The well-known commercial space technology business Sierra Space has said that the last phase of testing for its spacecraft, the Sierra Space Ghost, is about to begin.

Transportation technology has advanced dramatically with the Sierra Space Ghost, which can significantly cut down on freight delivery journey times. According to Interesting Engineering, Sierra Space targets to deliver freight to any destination on Earth in 90 minutes, compared to three hours for New York to Boston.ar

Dedicated to expanding the frontiers of space logistics, the Sierra Space team uses state-of-the-art technology to make on-demand freight delivery from orbit possible. This capacity has great potential for several uses, including supporting military personnel in combat zones and streamlining humanitarian relief and disaster response operations.

The Sierra Space Ghost can land in regions without landing facilities, revolutionizing cargo transportation. Furthermore, the spacecraft's steerable rudder on the parafoil enables accurate navigation, guaranteeing that payloads land no more than 300 feet from their intended landing location.