The world's first 'space hotel'

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These are the jaw-dropping plans for Russia’s first ‘space hotel’ – called the Commercial Space Station.
Orbital Technologies are behind the project, which will float 217 miles above the earth and apparently open in 2016.
It has room for only seven guests in its four cabins, but their stay promises to be comfortable.

Staff will serve tasty meals, like braised veal cheeks with wild mushrooms, which are made on Earth and sent up to be reheated in microwaves. Iced tea will also be available.
Visitors can sleep on vertical or horizontal beds and enjoy specially sealed showers. The overall experience, according to Orbital Technologies, will be ‘far more comfortable’ than the International Space Station.
We should hope so too, as the price tag is, err, astronomical. According to reports, a five-day stay could cost £100,000, on top of £500,000 for the journey - a two-day ride in a Soyuz rocket.
Scientists and researchers are also being encouraged to use the facility.
Sergei Kostenko, chief executive of Orbital Technologies, told RIA Novosti: “A hotel should be comfortable inside, and it will be possible to look at the Earth through large portholes.
“The hotel will be aimed at wealthy individuals and people working for private companies who want to do research in space.”
It will follow the same orbit as the International Space Station.
An American company, Bigelow Aerospace, is also planning a private space station that uses an innovative inflatable design, but will not be geared towards tourism.


 


 

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