Out of this world

Vacation in orbit: 1st space hotel slated to open in 2027

Construction set to begin in 2025 for ring-shaped space station that will rotate to generate artificial gravity; no info yet on cost of project or expected prices

By ToI Staff and Agencies 4 March 2021, 8:07 am

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Illustrative - In this image released by NASA, Comet Neowise (left) is seen in the eastern horizon above Earth, in this image taken from the International Space Station on Sunday, on July 5, 2020. (NASA via AP)

While many people would be grateful just to leave the house during the pandemic, one company has announced plans for a hotel that is a little further afield — in space.

The world’s first space hotel is slated to open in 2027 and will be able to accommodate up to 400 guests.

According to the plans from the Orbital Assembly Corporation (OAC), the hotel will have many of the facilities guests would expect at any luxury hotel, including restaurants, a movie theater and a spa, with added extras not usually needed, such as Earth-viewing lounges.

The hotel will be built in the shape of a large ring with small pods attached to its exterior, and will rotate to generate artificial gravity.

The world's first luxury space hotel is slated to open in 2027.
Photo: Orbital Assembly Corporation

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“People need gravity so their bodies won’t fall apart,” John Blincow of the Gateway Foundation which is behind OAC, told the Daily Mail.

Construction was set to begin in 2025, and there were no details on the potential cost of the project or how much guests could be expected to pay.

Space tourism is expected to become a significant industry in the coming years with multiple companies vying to be the first to take tourists as well as shuttling supplies.

Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity departs Mojave Air and Space Port in Mojave, Calif. for the final time as Virgin Galactic shifts its SpaceFlight operations to New Mexico on Feb. 13, 2020 (Matt Hartman via AP)

Last month, Virgin Galactic put off plans to make another attempt at a rocket-powered flight from New Mexico to the fringe of space, saying it needed more time for technical checks. The space tourism venture said in a social media post that its team at Spaceport America would be working to identify the next opportunity to move the testing program along as the promise of commercial flights continues to loom.

Virgin Galactic has reached space twice before — the first time from California in December 2018. In June, Virgin Galactic marked its second successful glide flight over Spaceport America. The company has yet to announce a firm date for its first commercial flight.

Virgin Galactic is one of a few companies looking to cash in on customers with an interest in space. Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin company in January launched a new capsule as part of tests as it aims to get its program for tourists, scientists and professional astronauts off the ground.