Space hotel now a reality

For those who love the comforts of a five-star hotel but are tired of the same view of a city skyline overlooking a vast landscape of cars and lights, a space getaway forms the perfect spot for anyone to observe the “Blue Marble” – also known as Earth.

Orbital Technologies, a Russian space company, has invented a new way for people to view the world. The company’s hotel will be placed within 100km of an international space station and 402km above earth.

A “crew”, otherwise known as “guests” of up to seven people, will be able to visit the space station – but the limit will be extendable over time. Those eager to start their space escapade will be happy to know that the hotel will be launched sometime this year.

But one should not expect the type of five-star treatment found on some of Earth’s poshest resorts, despite travellers being expected to cough up close to one $1 million for a trip that is literally “out of this world”.

The space hotel features a kitchen equipped with a fridge and microwave. There is also a section near the kitchen which serves as the sleeping area. To keep hygiene in check, the bathroom will not be fitted with a bath or a shower.

Graphic: Costa Makola

Instead, travellers will be handed wet wipes. There will also be a pair of binoculars on board and a camera for those who would like to do a little sightseeing. For entertainment, one would have to settle for watching some TV or go online, since there is not much you can really do but float around in space.

Before departure, travellers will have to undergo special training procedures that could take up to three months. But this will depend on the type of spacecraft to be used for getting to the hotel.

This commercial space station will form the official launch of a private sector initiative to commercialise space flight in low earth orbit. The purpose of the hotel will be to accommodate diverse industry functions that have been identified through years of research, such as enabling space-based microgravity research.

This space station will be the ultramodern derivative of this industry base. In relation to other space stations, this one will focus more on the commercial customer and the needs centred on private enterprise.