You might shoot for the stars when planning vacations. But with the recent hotel proposal by Above Space Development Corporation, you could actually stay among the cosmos.
Formerly known as Orbital Assembly, Above Space Development Corporation is a competitor in commercialized space enterprises. The company recently proposed a pair of space hotels dubbed Voyager Station and Pioneer Station that could be in operation within the next two years.
Above Space Development aims to make business for humans available in the space ecosystem through the development of gravity-capable space stations on-orbit in cislunar space. The company recently signed an agreement with NASA called the Umbrella Space Act Agreement (SAA) that would “enable Above to test and validate its software, technology and components that could be used in future cislunar space stations and near-term launch projects,” says Chief Executive Officer and President of Above, Rhonda Stevenson.
The hotels would both operate on artificial gravity. “Artificial gravity functionality informs the overall layout of the station and the engineering of the structural members,” Orbital Assembly’s COO and architect, Tim Alatorre, told Architectural Digest. “As we are generating artificial gravity through rotation, this introduces new structural scenarios that are unique to the space environment.”
Because antigravity is extending its appeal to parties interested in space travel, however, Above Space Development explains that their orbital lab can – with partial gravity – simulate Lunar or Martian environments, or Zero-G for a weightless environment.
Previous renderings of the hotels that have been released can be what are described by AD as “giant floating wheels.” From the hotels Above Space Development promises breathtaking views of space. The Voyager Station would house 44 Emergency Return Vehicles or life boats on the structure.
The proposed Voyager Station would accommodate 440 guests, while the proposed Pioneer Station would house 28 guests at once.
“We expect the duration to be as little as four days or as long as two weeks,” Rhonda Stevenson, Orbital Assembly CEO, told AD about potential stays at the hotel. “It depends on cost and also the ability to acclimate to a space environment.”
As of now, there is no set price for what room accommodations can expect to go for. Stay tuned for any updates via Above Space Development’s website.