Orbital Technologies, a Russian firm, claims that they will have the first operational “space hotel” in about 2016. Compared with the Bigelow designs, it’s pretty small… about the volume of an ISS module. Their website has lots of pretty pictures in the form of computer renderings, not so much in the way of photos of actual hardware. One thing the hotel seems to be lacking is one of the most important things a space hotel should have… windows.
I’ve not heard too much about this enterprise. Might be legit, might be pure vaporware. But one of the more interesting aspects of it is the article describing it on CNN.com. It’s interesting not because of what the CNN writer has to say… but how she says it. If you want a good introductory example of “sneering” in journalism, here you go.
Russia’s space hotel, or Commercial Space Station, will be aimed at crazy-rich space tourists, as well as corporate and industrial researchers. In other words, not you.
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Spending your vacation in space will no doubt inspire travel stories like no other, but what’s there to do once you’re sealed in up there?
Not much, it turns out, apart from going online and watching TV.
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There will be no shower, but you can clean yourself with wet wipes. Fun!
Space tourism *will* be big business someday. Someday soon, hopefully… and it’s my personal hope that Americans lead the way. But if the Russians (or the Chinese, or the Indians, or the Japanese, or whoever) get there first, more power to ’em. The more the merrier; the more competition, the lower the cost and, eventually, the better the experience. But there will always be cynics like the CNN writer who cannot see the value it it.
7 Responses to “Russian Space Hotel”
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Zero chance of this happening by 2016, if ever. Another Russian space pipe dream.
I bet the CNN writer is either fat or aware of how unlikely it is that she’ll ever go to a space hotel.
It could be that the Russians expect everyone to drink and not to look out the window.
The Daily Mail points out that alcohol will be forbidden. Hardly sounds Russian to me.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2026534/Commercial-Space-Station-Russian-firm-Orbital-Technologies-reveals-hotel-plans.html
Also, the plan is for 7 guests, is that white vaporware capsule a 4-seater?
It’s the latest incarnation of their Soyuz replacement:
http://www.russianspaceweb.com/acts.html
Here’s the innards of the crew capsule, showing the seats for the six Jedi crew and their wall-mounted lightsabers: http://www.russianspaceweb.com/maks2011/pages/ptk_interior_jpg.htm
Wow, did they hire the interior designers away from Virgin Galactic for this one?
I love the clean look they’re presenting for both the ACT and the Hotel – but I don’t for second believe that they’ll actually be that empty when/if they ever fly. Those things will be packed to the gills like the Soyuz is on liftoff!
I’d rather be on a Zond redeux and go circumlunar…