Luxury Hotel In Orbit
The idea of taking civilians into space has taken off in the last couple of years, with SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic all investing in the concept to varying degrees. SpaceX is said to be leading the charge on private spaceflights, though it?s unclear when the aerospace company intends to start offering space tours. Meanwhile, Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin are aiming for 2018 and 2019 launches, respectively. Now Russia is getting in on the space tourism business, but it?s taking things a step further, with plans to build a luxury hotel in orbit.
According to a detailed business proposal seen by Popular Mechanics, the Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities ? Russia?s own space agency ? is planning to build a 20-ton, 51-foot long luxury hotel module on the International Space Station (ISS). The module would have four sleeping quarters, a pair of ?hygiene and medical? stations, a lounge area, exercise equipment, and Wi-Fi. Building costs are estimated between 16.4 and 26.2 billion rubles ($279 million? $446 million). Russia?s Science and Power Module (NEM-1). Image Credit: Russia Space Web.
The ? luxury hotel? in orbit would resemble the Science and Power Module (NEM-1) already under construction that Russia plans to send to the ISS in 2021. The new module to build and would be paid for with a combination of private and state investments, including those of potential passengers ? who would be expected to pay installments ? wit...