The World’s First Space Hotel Is Set to Launch in 2027

When most people envision their dream vacation, they picture sun-kissed beaches, majestic mountains, or thrilling theme parks. However, a new frontier is emerging that could soon transform that mental image into one of gazing at Earth, a breathtaking blue marble, floating serenely against the vast black canvas of space.

After six decades of groundbreaking advancements in space exploration, we find ourselves on the brink of a thrilling new chapter: the era of commercial space travel. Visionary billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson have already tested the waters, crossing or inching closer to the iconic Kármán line—the threshold that distinguishes our planet’s atmosphere from the infinite expanse of outer space. These pioneering journeys mark a pivotal shift, heralding a future where multi-day stays in the cosmos may soon be a reality for adventurous travelers, broadening the horizons of what a vacation might mean.

Meet Voyager Station: Your Hotel in the Stars

Sacramento startup Orbital Assembly Corporation (OAC) plans to open Voyager Station by 2027. As OAC executives Tim Alatorre and John Blincow described, this revolutionary project will welcome 280 guests and 112 crew members as the first commercial space hotel.

“We want to make this an easy choice. If you want to go to Paris for a week or you want to go to space for a week, we want it to be a question of preference, not of money” says Blincow, who leads OAC. As architect and vice president, Alatorre adds: “I think going to space will become a normal thing, where your mom went to space, your dad went to space.”

What’s It Like Staying at This Space Resort?

Voyager Station will feature 24 habitation modules spanning 125,000 square feet (50,000 square meters). Guests inside can enjoy many comforts, much like those found in luxury resorts on Earth. A station restaurant plans to serve interesting space-themed food and familiar everyday dishes. People can unwind with a cosmic cocktail at a stylish bar or enjoy performances at a concert venue. 

A cinema will offer movies, and a fully-equipped gym will allow for workouts in a low-gravity setting. Beyond short visits, OAC also makes it possible to book longer stays. Visitors might arrange leases for what OAC describes as “luxury villas” or commercial spaces, creating a chance to be among the first to own property orbiting our planet.

How You’ll Walk Around Up There (Hint: It’s Science!)

Many space innovations rely on concepts developed long ago. Voyager Station uses a rotating wheel design that was first proposed in the early 1900s and later popularized in the 1950s by rocket scientist Wernher von Braun. As OAC states simply on their website: “We provide gravity.” The centrifugal force generated by rotation creates artificial gravity, allowing guests to walk normally, more or less. Initial gravity levels will match our Moon (about one-sixth of Earth), with plans to eventually increase to Mars-level (one-third of Earth’s) and potentially full Earth gravity.

Minimal gravity offers unique advantages. People with disabilities will face fewer physical barriers, while others will gain extraordinary athletic abilities. Alatorre expects “a lot of really good YouTube videos” featuring lunar-level basketball dunks and other gravity-defying feats.

Your Trip: From Planet Earth to a Room with an Awesome View

Arriving guests will dock at a central zero-gravity hub before taking elevators outward to habitation modules arranged around the wheel’s circumference. Only at these outer modules will visitors feel adequate artificial gravity.

Every Earth resort boasts about its views, but Voyager Station offers truly unmatched vistas. Renderings show guests gazing through windows at a surreal panorama: Earth’s curved blue-green surface set against infinite black space.

During their stay, visitors will enjoy space novelties like freeze-dried ice cream alongside gourmet meals, experience concert performances, and work out in a gym where weights function differently than back home.

So, Will a Space Vacation Empty Your Wallet?

Right now, space travel for fun mostly attracts extremely rich people. For instance, Oliver Daemen paid a massive $28 million to fly beside Jeff Bezos on a significant trip. Many in these exclusive circles consider such an amount a good deal.

Why are costs so high? Orbital Assembly Corporation (OAC) points out that staying in a space resort is not the expensive part; getting there carries the big expense. Changes in space travel could be coming soon. Developments such as SpaceX’s advanced Starship rocket aim to greatly improve launch systems. These improvements might sharply reduce expenses for trips beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Some foresee that within ten years, traveling to space could become as easy to afford as buying a ticket for a high-end cruise.

Building This Space Hotel: Step-by-Step

The ambitious journey to construct a revolutionary space hotel is set to commence in 2026, with an ambitious target for completion by 2027. Before the grand assembly takes place, Orbital Assembly Corporation (OAC) plans to rigorously test a series of smaller prototypes designed for specific functionalities. Among these is a captivating “Gravity Ring” miniature, meticulously crafted to validate the innovative wheel design that will eventually facilitate orbital rotation. Additionally, the company will deploy “Pioneer stations” featuring limited habitation modules, designed to provide insights into sustainable living in space.

The initial phase of construction will focus on creating a central unpressurized ring strategically designed to serve as the heart of the docking hub. Surrounding this core, an outer ring truss will emerge, intricately connected via a network of sturdy spokes, supporting an impressive total of 24 habitation modules. This design promises structural integrity but also a breathtaking panoramic view of the cosmos.

OAC’s commitment to transforming this visionary concept into reality is profound. As Alatorre eloquently asserts, “We are committed to this, and we’ve invested our lives and our fortunes into making this a reality,” He emphasizes the lack of significant technological barriers in their path, declaring it merely a matter of time and financial resources. With such unwavering dedication, OAC aims to turn the dream of orbital hospitality into an extraordinary experience for all who venture into the final frontier.

Who Else Is Planning Hotels Way Up There?

OAC is not the only entity setting its sights on commercial space operations as we approach the twilight years of the 23-year-old International Space Station (ISS). With plans to fill the void left by this iconic orbiting laboratory, several visionary companies are stepping into the spotlight:  

Axiom Space has already contracted with NASA to add a futuristic “destination module” to the ISS. This would be a crucial first step toward creating an independent commercial space station that could redefine our presence in low Earth orbit.  

Sierra Space, in collaboration with Blue Origin—part of Jeff Bezos’ expansive business empire—has unveiled ambitious plans for the “Orbital Reef.” This grand project aims to launch in the late decade and promises to be a vibrant hub of activity in the cosmos.  

Among these exciting ventures, Voyager Station stands out by targeting space tourism as its primary focus. Unlike others that prioritize research or industrial applications, Voyager Station aspires to offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience, allowing travelers to enjoy breathtaking views of Earth and the infinite cosmos while indulging in the luxury of a hotel high above the planet.  

Space Trips Are Not Just for Sci-Fi Movies Anymore!

For hundreds or thousands of years, space travel has captivated the human imagination. Technological barriers have largely fallen, and the remaining challenges center on funding and scheduling.

Many people justifiably question whether such ambitious plans can succeed. SpaceX—which has no formal partnership with OAC—acknowledged Voyager Station on social media with cautious curiosity: “We are curious to see if this plan will become a reality or not.”

Yet all signs point toward rapid space commercialization. OAC leadership remains confident in their station’s mechanical and theoretical soundness. Should they succeed, family members taking space vacations might soon seem as routine as flying across countries feels today. Would you book a stay at Voyager Station? Start saving now—your room among stars awaits in 2027.