Space Tourism: How Could a Hotel Orbit the Earth?
Project: ET2 Architecture?

In 1997, NASA published a report concluding that selling trips to space to private citizens could be worth billions of dollars. A Japanese report supports these findings, and projects that space tourism could be a $10 billion per year industry within the two decades. The only obstacles to opening up space to tourists are the space agencies, who are concerned with safety and the development of a reliable, reusable launch vehicle.

Once onboard the hotel, guests will wear Velcro suits that allow them to stick to the rooms' walls. The hotel's orbit will take it around the Earth in only 80 minutes, allowing guests to see 15 sunrises a day [source: Yahoo News]. Besides spending three days ogling sunrises, tourists will also help with scientific experiments. An escape rocket will be attached to the outside of the hotel.

Some of the details regarding the hotel's facilities remain unclear. Claramunt said that the company is still tackling the problem of bathrooms, specifically toilets. Instead of traditional showers — which don't work in a weightless environment — Galactic Suite will employ a spa filled with water bubbles drifting through the air.

http://science.howstuffworks.com/hotel-orbit-earth1.htm

Promoted as a paradise in space

Tue, Nov 13, 2007  Permanent link

Sent to project: ET2 Architecture?

RSS for this post