Space tourism hasn’t taken off yet, so to speak. Space is still the domain of astronauts, floating around and conducting experiments, but that is about to change. Orion Span, a space tourism company based in Houston, Texas has decided to build a space hotel. It will be named Aurora Station, and the plan is to have it up and orbiting as soon as 2022.
The Accommodation
The Aurora Station will not be the 5-star accommodations we are used to on Earth, although it will be luxurious for space. Orion Span has proposed a hotel that can accommodate up to four guests at a time. Each guest will have their own room or pod that will come equipped with a bed, window looking out at space, and other amenities designed for comfort.
The Experience
Two crew members will be aboard the hotel at all times, and guests will have to learn how to work together as a team to perform research experiments. They will also have to assist with loading and unloading cargo, and any other tasks necessary to keep the spaceship running. This gives every guest the chance to experience what it’s like to be an astronaut. Every guest will undergo a rigorous training program on the ground for three months.
There is currently a waitlist, and a spot starts at $80,000.
