Commercial space tourism isn't as far-fetched as the movies may make it seem—and it might be happening a lot sooner than you'd think. The Gateway Foundation, a company that has set out to create the world's first (and, at least as far as we know, the universe's first) commercial space project in history, is on track to open the Von Braun Rotating Space Station as early as 2025.
"Eventually, going to space will just be another option people will pick for their vacation, just like going on a cruise, or going to Disney World," Tim Alatorre, the senior design architect of the Von Braun Space Station, told Dezeen.
As such, the company is making it their mission to cater to these types of travelers—of which Alatorre believes there will be plenty.
"Because the overall costs are still so high most people assume that space tourism will only be available to the super rich, and while I think this will be true for the next several years, the Gateway Foundation has a goal of making space travel open to everyone," he explained.
The space hotel already seems out of this world: it promises “many of the things you see on cruise ships: restaurants, bars, musical concerts, movie screenings, and educational seminars", according to Alatorre.
It won't be designed like the futuristic, stark-looking white space stations we see in sci-fi movies, either; the interiors will be more like what we're used to on Earth, with natural materials and colors to give the space hotel a more comfortable and homey feel—think trendy boutique hotel vibes.
Space tourists won't need to attempt to scarf down dehydrated astronaut food, either—the Von Braun Space Station is planning on having full-service kitchens that rival restaurants on luxury cruises and in hotels. Because the space hotel will have gravity, vacationers won't deal with the other problems that come with space travel—like going to the bathroom and showering.
As for entertainment on the space station—besides looking out onto the curve of the Earth—Alatorre says there will be activities like low-gravity basketball, low-gravity trampolining, and even rock climbing. The space hotel will be aiming to accommodate at least 100 guests per week when it first opens up.