Energiya to build first space hotel

FT.com ^ | 1 Oct 2010 | Isabel Gorst in Moscow

[smokingfrog]

Energiya, the Russian rocket and space group, will build the world’s first commercial space station in a partnership with Orbital Technologies, the US high technology company.

Capable of housing up to seven people, the CSS will serve as a hotel for space tourists and a possible emergency refuge for astronauts in distress. It will also help Energiya attract private investment as Russia strives to maintain a leading role in space.

The CSS would “be a true gateway to the rest of the solar system,” Energiya said in a statement. “A short stop over at our station will be the perfect beginning to a manned circumlunar flight.”

Sergey Kostenko, the chief executive of Orbital Technologies, said the CSS would “provide a unique destination for commercial, state and private spaceflight missions,” creating a “valuable addition to the global base of orbital assets.”

Russia launched space tourism in 2001, charging up to $35m to ferry super-rich travellers to the International Space Station, a research station run by five countries, including the US.

[SandRat]

More at http://www.thesqueeze.net/All-Categories/Travel/Hotels/First-Space-Hotel-unveiled-by-Russian-company

[Cowboy Bob]

I understand the hotels will be modeled after that famous Russian luxury hotel chain “Intourist.” :0)

[C210N]

CSS will serve as a hotel for space tourists and a possible emergency refuge for astronauts in distress...

So, if (or when) an emergency pops up, what will they do with their current guests? Kick 'em out onto the "street"?

[smokingfrog]

Looks kind of like a soyuz space capsule without the solar panels.

[The Comedian]

In the software world, we call this sort of announcement "vaporware".

Ring me when the first guests return and rate the facilities on Travelocity.

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[Truth29]

It probably is vaporware, but, on the other hand, the Russians do have a space tourist program with several successful round trips and we will soon be paying them for rides to orbit because we will no longer have that capability under Lord Obama.