The First Hotel in Space Opens in 2025

Orbital Assembly announced that they will launch a hotel project in 2025 by building two space stations where tourists can stay. The first space hotel, Voyager Station, is designed to accommodate 280 guests, and later plans increased this number to 400. The company also shared designs for a smaller space station called Pioneer Station, which will host only 28 people.

Orbital Assembly CEO Rhonda Stevenson says that the duration of trips to space is planned to be as short as four days or as long as two weeks, adding: “This depends on the guests’ budget and their ability to adapt to a space environment.”

Both Voyager and Pioneer Space Stations utilize artificial gravity, which can be understood with a very simple demonstration like “spinning water in a bucket.” Just as spinning a bucket holding water in a circle keeps the water inside, the space hotel simulates gravity. According to information on the Space Voyager website, the degree of artificial gravity will vary depending on the rotation speed.

Physically, both Voyager and Pioneer Stations look like giant floating wheels. The docking center in the middle of Voyager Station will welcome ships and also serve as both the operations and control center. Orbital Assembly Operations Director and Architect Tim Alatorre says that the artificial gravity function determines the overall layout of the station and the engineering of structural elements. Due to the weakness of gravity effects, the designs also allow for recreational activities where guests can jump higher, like playing basketball.

For now, no price information has been announced, but the cost is expected to be high. According to the project team, as space tourism becomes more common, costs will approach those of an ordinary sea cruise.