Retro_Link Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070810/tc_nm/space_hotel_dc An artists rendering of a shuttle docking with the Galactic Suite hotel BARCELONA (Reuters) - "Galactic Suite," the first hotel planned in space, expects to open for business in 2012 and would allow guests to travel around the world in 80 minutes. ADVERTISEMENT Its Barcelona-based architects say the space hotel will be the most expensive in the galaxy, costing $4 million for a three-day stay. During that time guests would see the sun rise 15 times a day and use Velcro suits to crawl around their pod rooms by sticking themselves to the walls like Spiderman. Company director Xavier Claramunt says the three-bedroom boutique hotel's joined up pod structure, which makes it look like a model of molecules, was dictated by the fact that each pod room had to fit inside a rocket to be taken into space. "It's the bathrooms in zero gravity that are the biggest challenge," says Claramunt. "How to accommodate the more intimate activities of the guests is not easy." But they may have solved the issue of how to take a shower in weightlessness -- the guests will enter a spa room in which bubbles of water will float around. When guests are not admiring the view from their portholes they will take part in scientific experiments on space travel. Galactic Suite began as a hobby for former aerospace engineer Claramunt, until a space enthusiast decided to make the science fiction fantasy a reality by fronting most of the $3 billion needed to build the hotel. An American company intent on colonizing Mars, which sees Galaxy Suite as a first step, has since come on board, and private investors from Japan, the United States and the United Arab Emirates are in talks. PLENTY RICH ENOUGH If Claramunt is secretive about the identity of his generous backer, he is more forthcoming about the custom he can expect. "We have calculated that there are 40,000 people in the world who could afford to stay at the hotel. Whether they will want to spend money on going into space, we just don't know." Four million dollars might be a lot to spend on a holiday, but those in the nascent space tourism industry say hoteliers have been slow on the uptake because no one thought the cost of space travel would come down as quickly as it has. Galactic Suite said the price included not only three nights in space. Guests also get eight weeks of intensive training at a James Bond-style space camp on a tropical island. "There is fear associated with going into space," said Claramunt. "That's why the shuttle rocket will remain fixed to the space hotel for the duration of the guests' stay, so they know they can get home again." In an era of concern over climate change, Galaxy Suite have no plans so far to offset the pollution implications of sending a rocket to carry just six guests at a time into space. "But," says Claramunt, "I'm hopeful that the impact of seeing the earth from a distance will stimulate the guests' urge to value and protect our planet." I'd certainly give it a thought if I had the money! Would be such an experience! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jordan Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 This ain't gunna happen. Unless they are extremely smart with HUGE budgets, 5 years to do it though? ...Also, how are they going to stop the little mints from floating off your pillow? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro_Link Posted August 11, 2007 Author Share Posted August 11, 2007 This ain't gunna happen.A space hotel will happen, but yeah, whether it will happen in the time frame they say!?After all, people are already paying to stay on the space stations. And if they could so rediculously underestimated the cost of Wembley, can you imagine what could happen with this!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maikeru Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 A space hotel will happen at some point, but in 5 years? Doubtful. Also, isnt the shuttle supposed to be retiring in 2010? Unless thats just NASA's use of it. But the costs are too high at this point, and it'd be highly regulated as the world tries to become more careful with the gasses that are causing global warming. A few billion is needed for construction and quite alot is going to needed after construction with staff etc (I dont think that was even mentioned to be honest). Now, the customer pays $4 million for 3 nights, they'l need to go through training etc for the journey and the shuttle is becoming less trustworthy with these foam panels falling off (Even the recent space mission has experienced this problem). I can see people going, but not enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaijin von Snikbah Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 Virgin Galactic plans to offer orbital spaceflight to the paying public by 2009. http://virgingalactic.com/htmlsite/index.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maikeru Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 Virgin galactic will not be enough for the Space Hotel though. It wont reach that height (presuming there hasnt been any recent advances0. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shino Posted August 12, 2007 Share Posted August 12, 2007 They'll probably their own shuttle, I just wish someone would invent a new cheaper way to get up there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshmellow Posted August 12, 2007 Share Posted August 12, 2007 Virgin Galactic plans to offer orbital spaceflight to the paying public by 2009. http://virgingalactic.com/htmlsite/index.php Mmmm $200,000 tickets Imma get right on that... A space hotel would be pretty neat, but it ain't going to happen for a while I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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