Project Description

Inversion Space approached Pacmin Studios to design and manufacture a full-scale mockup of the “Arc,” their highly-maneuverable reentry delivery spacecraft delivery. Following the successful space flight of their initial prototype, the company needed a physical representation of their next-generation iteration to serve as the centerpiece for a major keynote presentation to investors and employees.

The Challenge

The primary hurdle was an incredibly compressed six-week timeline coupled with an evolving design. Inversion was still finalizing the internal and external specifications of the Arc capsule and could not provide a completed design at the start of the project. They needed a partner who could begin fabrication without a finished blueprint and navigate the uncertainty of a design that was changing in real-time.

The Plan

We adopted a modular building strategy to account for the lack of upfront information. Our team committed to the elements that were already defined while leaving specific finishing details open for later stages. We acted as a filter for the client, taking their broad requests and providing concrete, feasible options that would fit the deadline. This collaborative approach included inviting the Inversion team directly into our Fullerton facility to make final design and material decisions side-by-side with our designers and craftspeople.

The Process

The six-week production was a race of synchronized engineering. As the main body of the capsule was being fabricated, our designers worked on the fly to incorporate information as it was provided from the client. This required a high level of agility from our 3D printing and fabrication teams to ensure that all disparate components fit together perfectly during the final assembly.

Blank parts and a variety of graphics options are laid out for the Inversion Space Arc full scale mockup at Pacmin Studios

Pacmin and Inversion Space team members meet to work on the full scale mockup of the Arc spacecraft

Pacmin Studios works with Inversion Space to decide the best livery design for the full scale mockup of their Arc spacecraft

Pacmin Studios sorts through color swatches while designing the full scale mockup of the Inversion Space Arc vehicle

In-progress photo of a 1/1 model of the Inversion Space Arc.

Graphics being placed on a blank full scale mockup of the Inversion Space Arc at Pacmin Studios

Pacmin Studios working on the graphics layout on the 1/1 Arc spacecraft mockup for Inversion

Closeup of parts being prepared for the full-scale mockup of the Inversion Space Arc at Pacmin Studios

A closeup of the painted flap on the full scale mockup of the Inversion Space Arc at Pacmin Studios

Pacmin Studios works on the full-scale mockup of the Inversion Space Arc developmental spacecraft in the paint booth

The finished full scale mockup of the Inversion Arc spacecraft posed in a vertical position at Pacmin Studios

Pacmin Studios and Inversion Space team members pose together in front of the full-scale Arc mockup

The Win

We delivered the full-scale Arc capsule exactly in time for the keynote speech. What began as a series of undecided concepts was transformed into a polished, physical centerpiece that provided Inversion with the visual credibility needed for their investor presentation. By narrowing down complex decisions into feasible actions, we helped the client move past their internal design gridlock and successfully communicate the exciting future of their company.