Space hotels could be reality by 2021
For many of us, space tourism seems pretty far off.
But according to the Daily Mail, the ultra-wealthy could be making reservations in a space hotel as early as 2021.
Once again, we are all super jealous of rich people and their extravagant travel plans.
Billionaire hotel mogul, Robert Bigelow, founder of private space company Bigelow Aerospace, has announced the company’s plans to send an inflatable hotel into orbit and create a new space station.
Bigelow made the announcement during a conference call with reporters on Tuesday, reports Daily Mail, along with the announcement of his new company Bigelow Space Operations, which will handle marketing and customer service.
Bigelow Aerospace is creating a so-called B330 line of space stations, with two stations already “very far along in fabrication”, said Bigelow.
The billionaire, who made his money running Budget Suites of America, said they will be ready for launch in 2021 and estimates costs could be in the low seven figures or, more likely low eight figures.
Time aboard the stations will mostly be sold to governments in need of orbital laboratory space, but will also offer multi-million dollar reservations to space tourists looking for a ‘hotel’ stay.
This isn’t Bigelow’s first venture into space-based structures, Bigelow Aerospace was the first to successfully build and attach an inflatable extension to the International Space Station, reports Architectural Digest.
The extension, a partnership with United Launch Alliance, could see Bigelow Aerospace launching something similar into lunar space to serve as a staging ground for future lunar missions.
In the meantime, we’ve got more chance of being abducted by E.T than ending up with enough cash to afford a bed on one of the swanky space stations.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
bigelow aerospace Bigelow Space Operations Robert Bigelow Space Hotel space tourism space travelLatest News
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