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Take a giant leap into the world's first space hotel
Inside the world's first space hotel
By Frances Carruthers · December 26, 2024
An astronomical new hotel
Never mind flying to distant shores for your next trip – how about catapulting yourself into space? While it might sound far-fetched, it could soon be a reality. A new space hotel, designed by space construction company Orbital Assembly Corporation, is currently being built and could soon be available for an out-of-this-world vacation. Read on to discover what it’ll look like and when the first guests will be able to check-in.
How it all started
The Orbital Assembly Corporation (OAC) was founded in 2019, with the intention of accelerating the space construction industry. Known as the Voyager Station, the hotel built within the space station will cover 124,861 square feet (11,600sq m), including rooms for up to 400 guests.
How it will be built
To create artificial gravity, the structure will consist of an unpressurized central ring with a docking hub at the center. Around that, a further outer ring will be connected via a series of spokes.
First-class facilities
The ring will be divided into 24 modules, or areas, containing everything you could want from a luxury hotel: modern rooms, bars, restaurants, fitness facilities and more. Unlike a regular hotel, there will also be parts dedicated to scientific research.
There will be gravity
Thanks to its clever design, the hotel won’t be full of objects floating around. It’ll have its own gravity: the equivalent to one-sixth of the amount on Earth.
Cozy interiors
While you might expect this kind of structure to be decked out with futuristic décor, the Orbital Assembly Corporation is keen to keep things homely and welcoming, using muted, soft colors and materials. Guests can kick back and relax in luxury villas which sprawl over 5,382 square foot (500sqm). Each villa sleeps up to 16 people and has kitchen and bathroom space.
State-of-the-art facilities
Basketball anyone? That’s not the only activity you could soon be doing in space. The hotel’s activity and gym module will be open for sports by day, and it’ll transform into a concert venue by night.
The team behind it
OAC have production facilities and offices in Fontana, California where the project is going full steam ahead. The team behind it are (from left to right): Dr. Tom Spilker, chief technology officer; Tim Clements, V.P. of fabrication and assembly; Robert Miyake, board member; and Tim Alatorre, chief operations officer.
What’s next?
Despite being a pretty monumental undertaking, Voyager Station – expected to open in 2027 – is just one of the projects in the pipeline. Orbital Assembly also has plans to build the Pioneer Station, which is set to house just 28 people and could be operational as early as 2025. While a trip to OAC's space accommodation will initially be expensive, the company hopes to make the experience more accessible in the future – as common as going to Disneyland or on a cruise.
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