Hotel in Space
If the idea of a hotel in space sounds enticing, you may not have to wait longer than five years. Space Development, a company that specializes in designing and constructing space stations, says it could have luxury accommodation in space within “60 months” of securing enough funding for the projects. With two space hotels in the works—Voyager Station and a more recently announced Pioneer Station—anyone’s next R&R could take place among the stars.
Voyager Station, Alatorre’s first proposed space hotel, was originally designed to accommodate 280 guests, though new plans have updated that number to 400. Last year, the company shared designs for a smaller station called Pioneer Station, which would house significantly less people—only 28 at a time—but could be operational sooner than Voyager.
Though simulated gravity is important for long-term space habitats, for many visitors who venture so far, feeling the weightlessness of space is a big part of the appeal. As such, the company has plans to ensure this experience isn’t missed. “The interiors of Pioneer station, in particular, are designed to function in both zero gravity and partial gravity,” Alatorre explains.
There will be an opportunity for a zero-gravity experience on Voyager as well, and the designs currently include plans for recreational activities such as basketball games where participants can soar higher due to the weightlessness of the environment. On theme, the team also plans to plate traditional “space food,” such as freeze-dried ice cream, in the hotel’s restaurant to add additional appeal.
As of now, Alatorre hasn’t commented on the price of a ticket to the hotel in space, but comparing it to other proposed public space missions, it will likely come at a steep cost. For example, Virgin Galactic plans to launch ordinary passengers into space at $450,000 per person, per trip. The team at Voyager and Pioneer Station, however, has already assured the public that as space tourism becomes more commonplace, they hope to eventually make a stay affordable for all.