A Hotel Room with a View
The Russians have long been pioneers of the space tourism industry. In 2001, Dennis Tito became the first self-funded space tourist when he spent eight days aboard the International Space Station on a trip arranged by the Russian Space Agency.
As reported recently in the Daily Mail, Russia has now announced it is planning the Commercial Space Station – a hotel that will orbit 217 miles above the Earth. Space tourists will be guaranteed stunning views and an amazing journey to and from the hotel.
It will cost guests about $1,000,000 for the flight and accommodation, but they can expect more comfort and much better food than the astronauts on the International Space Station. The food will be specially prepared and flown up with the guests.
The hotel will be aiming to attract wealthy individuals and people who want to conduct experiments in space on behalf of private companies. It is due to open in 2016.
I believe this space station will be the pioneer in the huge untapped market of space tourism. We will see larger and cheaper hotels in the future, probably with artificial gravity and expanded facilities for guests. Eventually, there will be hotels in orbit around Jupiter and Saturn.
