Thanks to the hard work of companies like California-based Orbital Assembly Corporation(OAC), space tourism is well on its way to coming true. Now, the company is working to offer a chance for space visitors to "get out of the world" by checking into the world' s first true hotel in low Earth orbit(轨道)．
The 650-foot-wide Ferris-wheel-like Voyager Space Station(VSS) will be made up of two rings connected together. The inside circle will be fitted with spacecraft stations for guests while the outside ring will house the rooms, restaurants, bars, gyms, and scientific research labs. The hotel which is powered by the sun will travel at high speed to create artificial gravity(人造重力), providing tourists a comfortable stay. When completed, it will have rooms for up to 400 people.
While the idea is attractive, making VSS a reality will take time and money. The team is now building a smaller prototype(雏形) ring. Once finished, OAC engineers will attempt to create artificial gravity. Transporting the VSS to space will cost thousands of millions of dollars. However, OAC believes that they will recoup the money by asking $5 million per person for each 3-day stay. Though the cost may seem too high, it is cheap compared to the 55 million it costs to stay on the ISS(International Space Station)．Besides, guests at the Voyager Station will be living in the greatest conditions.
"You' re going to have the top cooks making really good food, " Orbital CEO John Blincow told the Washington Post. "There' ll be two shows every night as well. " Visitors will also be able to take part in the activities that are not possible on Earth such as spacewalks which allow visitors to admire views of Earth and space.
If everything goes according to plan, the company plans to start work in 2026 and welcome the first visitors in 2027. "If you are eager to be among the first, you can pay an amount of money to save your place ahead of time, " added John Blincow.
