The world’s first space hotel is set to open in 2025

Most of our travel plans involve booking a hotel room or staying at a short-term rental. Recent estimates suggest that there are 187,000 hotels worldwide with over 17.5 million guestrooms. But if you wish to travel outside the planet Earth, you might have to wait three years for a chance to book a hotel room in space.

The US-based Orbital Assembly Corporation (AOC), which develops space stations, plans to build not one but two space hotels. The company’s first space travel project, Voyager Station, would be able to accommodate up to 400 people and open its doors in 2027, while a more recent Pioneer Station would welcome first guests as early as 2025 but would be able to house only 28 visitors.

“For the average person, being in space will be a sci-fi dream experience,” said Tim Alatorre, Chief Operating Officer for Orbital Assembly Corp. “We envision our Pioneer and Voyager space stations as the ultimate ecotourism destinations. Once people get to space, it will change their perspective about Earth. Space travel is still in its infancy, and we’re excited to do our part to push it forward to help improve life on earth.”

According to AOC, Voyager Station will have an overall diameter of 200 meters and support 24 habitation modules, which include hotel rooms, restaurants, bars, and gyms. In addition to the traditional recreational activities, guests of Voyager Station will also have a chance to participate in a basketball game where they will be able to jump six meters high due to low gravity.

Both Voyager Station and Pioneer Station would have a rotating wheel-shaped form, which helps to create artificial gravity equivalent to one-sixth of the Earth's. The artificial or rotational gravity will allow guests to sleep in their beds and enjoy a delicious dinner in a restaurant. Space travelers will also have a chance to try freeze-dried ice cream and traditional space food. 

Those who wish to travel to space will have to undergo some training, The Washington Post reports. Currently, the space hotels are not taking any reservations, and the company has not published any room rates. However, according to Travel + Leisure, the three-and-a-half-day stay might cost you up to $5 million. 

Resources:

“Introducing Pioneer Station,” (Orbital Assembly Corporation, 2022)

“A Space Hotel Could Open as Soon as 2025,” by Nick Mafi and Katherine McLaughlin (Architectural Digest, 2022)

“First space hotel set to open in 2027,” by Tom Ravenscroft (Dezeen, 2021)

“Book an out-of-this-world vacation. The first-ever 'space hotel' is set to open in 2027,” by Joshua Zitser (Insider, 2021)

“A vacation that’s out of this world: The first space hotel is set to start construction by 2026,” by Natalie B. Compton (The Washington Post, 2021)

“The World's First Space Hotel Will Open in 2027 — and You Can Even Buy a Vacation Home There,” by Stefanie Waldek (Travel + Leisure, 2021)