Inversion's Ambitious Plan: Thousands of Space Freighters in Earth's Orbit
A US startup, Inversion, has sparked debate with its ambitious plan to station thousands of space freighters in Earth's orbit. The project aims to facilitate on-demand cargo delivery within an hour but raises concerns about space debris and ownership of Earth's orbit.
Inversion's Arc space freighter is designed to autonomously deliver cargo to remote locations and withstand extreme conditions. It also serves as a hypersonic test platform, capable of reaching speeds beyond Mach 20. The company has raised $125 million in funding, including a recent $44 million round from Lockheed Martin Ventures and Y Combinator.
The plan has drawn criticism, with some worried about increased space debris. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty defines space, including Earth's orbit, as a global commons, open to all states but with no individual claims of ownership. Inversion's focus on military purposes, serving national security agencies and allied forces of the USA, further complicates the political landscape. Efforts to update the treaty and prevent an arms race in space have been ongoing but have not yet resulted in an agreement.
Inversion's plan to station thousands of space freighters in orbit raises valid concerns about space debris and political ownership. While the company aims to facilitate rapid cargo delivery, international cooperation will be crucial to address these challenges and ensure the responsible use of space.
Read also:
- Tony Hawk's Memorabilia Auction Raises Record $1.2M for Skatepark Project
- Customs Raid in Germany's Hotel Industry Finds 12 Illegally Present Workers
- Trade Disputes Escalate: Trump Imposes Tariffs, India Retaliates; threatened boycott ranges from McDonald's, Coca-Cola to iPhones
- MIH Consortium Chooses BlackBerry for Next-Gen EV Platform
