Inversion to Launch Reentry Vehicle Demonstrator Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9

This fall, the aerospace startup Inversion is set to launch its Ray reentry demonstrator capsule aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 as part of the Transporter-12 Rideshare mission. Founded in 2021 in a Los Angeles garage, Inversion aims to revolutionize space transport by enabling cargo delivery to any location on Earth within an hour. The Ray capsule, a significant stride toward this goal, represents the company's inaugural venture into space.

The launch, scheduled no earlier than October 2024, marks a pivotal moment for Inversion. "Ray's first mission is a major step on the path to making returning from space an everyday occurrence. We have developed Ray at a record low cost while simultaneously making investments into our next-generation vehicle," explained Justin Fiaschetti, Co-Founder and CEO of Inversion. This mission will test various technologies essential for the future development of more advanced reentry vehicles.

Once deployed, Ray will orbit Earth to undergo a series of tests and system checks. Following this phase, it will execute a de-orbit burn with its CE-1 bipropellant rocket engine, re-entering the atmosphere at speeds of 17,800 mph. The spacecraft is equipped with a custom-developed parachute to ensure a controlled splashdown near the California coast at a slow 12.5 feet per second.

Every component of Ray, from the capsule to the service module's subsystems, has been developed in-house. This approach not only speeds up the testing and integration process but also aligns with Inversion's philosophy of rapid, cost-effective development cycles. Austin Briggs, Co-Founder and CTO of Inversion, emphasized, "Developing nearly every one of Ray's subsystems internally sets up Inversion to develop our future vehicles faster, ultimately speeding up our vision of space becoming a transportation layer."

Inversion's bold mission is to make space the fourth transportation domain, alongside land, air, and sea, offering unique advantages by transcending sovereign borders. This venture could redefine how we think about distance and borders, providing a futuristic glimpse into the next era of global transportation.

FMI: SpeceX.com