Holiday in space

Space tourism en-route to reality

‘Galactic Suite’, the first hotel in space, is set to open its portholes for business in 2012, after having received funds in the region of $3 billion from an anonymous ‘space enthusiast’.

Xavier Claramunt, the venture’s director, describes Galactic Suite as ‘the most expensive hotel in the galaxy’, with a three-night stay costing $4.4 million.

The lucky guests will see the sun rise and set 15 times a day, thanks to 80 revolutions around the Earth every 24 hours. They will be equipped with velcro suits to crawl in their pods, and will participate in scientific experiments on space travels.

While the cost is unimaginable for most of us, Galactic Suite has already received 200 enquiries since the opening announcement, and over 40 reservations are in place. The hotel guests will have to endure an eight-week training program set to take place in a newly-built space station in the South Pacific or the Caribbean; the spaceport will house a new launch system, ‘built with safety and the environment in mind’, says Claramunt.

In a time of concern over climate change, Galactic Suite has no plans to offset the pollution implications of sending a rocket into space carrying just six guests at a time. "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."

For more information go to www.galacticsuite.com