HOUSTON — If you’ve got clients who are looking for an out-of-this-world travel experience, they may be in luck. A brand new hotel is being developed – in outer space.
Announced at the Space 2.0 Summit in San Jose, California earlier this month, Aurora Station is being developed by Orion Span as the world’s first luxury hotel in space. It will be able to accommodate six people at a time (including two crew members), and embark on 12-day journeys that start at $9.5 million per person.
Chump change, we say, to become a real life astronaut!
Deposits are now being accepted for a future stay on Aurora Station, which is slated to launch in late 2021 and host its first guests in 2022. The fully refundable deposit is US$80,000 per person and can be reserved online at https://www.orionspan.com/aurora-station-reservations.
Upon launch, Aurora Station goes into service immediately, bringing travelers into space quicker and at a lower price point than ever seen before, while still providing an unforgettable experience,” said Frank Bunger, chief executive officer and founder of Orion Span. “Our goal is to make space accessible to all, by continuing to drive greater value at lower cost.”
While flying 200 miles above the Earth’s surface, guests will enjoy the exhilaration of zero gravity and fly freely throughout the hotel, take part in research experiments such as growing food while in orbit (which they can then take home with them as the ultimate souvenir), and take part in a virtual reality experience on the holodeck. They can also stay in touch or live stream with loved ones back on earth via high-speed wireless Internet access.
The hotel will orbit earth every 90 minutes, meaning those aboard will see an average of 16 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours. Upon return to earth, guests will be treated to a hero’s welcome.
Prior to takeoff, guests will enjoy a three-month Orion Span Astronaut Certification (OSAC), phase one of which is done online. The next portion will be completed in-person at Orion Span’s state-of-the-art training facility in Houston, Texas. The final certification is completed during a traveller’s stay on Aurora Station.
