Planning a trip for 2032? You might want to consider the first hotel on the Moon! A company based in California, GRU Space, is making this dream a reality. They’ve opened up applications for space tourists willing to pay a hefty deposit of $1 million to snag a spot as the hotel’s inaugural guests.
The idea of lunar tourism is gaining traction. GRU Space wants to kick off testing its technology by 2029. This includes deploying inflatable structures and converting lunar dust into bricks. The dream of a Moon hotel doesn’t seem so far-fetched anymore.
Skyler Chan, just 22 years old, founded GRU Space last year. Despite being new to the industry, the company has attracted investors from big names like SpaceX and Anduril. Chan believes that space tourism can help jumpstart a lunar economy. They’re targeting both seasoned space travelers and newcomers eager for an unforgettable experience.
GRU Space plans to launch its first mission in 2029. They will use NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services to land essential equipment on the Moon. This payload will demonstrate materials for the lunar hotel and test methods for using lunar regolith, or Moon dust, to create sturdy bricks.
If their first mission is a success, future missions will focus on expanding the hotel. By 2032, they aim to set up an inflatable structure that can accommodate four guests at a time.
NASA is also making strides towards a permanent human presence on the Moon. The Artemis 2 mission is slated for launch early next year, with Artemis 3 aiming to land astronauts by 2028. Meanwhile, China plans to send its astronauts to the Moon by 2030 and establish a base by 2035.
As the commercial space sector grows, the future of lunar tourism looks bright. Skyler Chan is optimistic, saying, “If we succeed, billions of human lives will be born on the Moon and Mars.”
Applications for this groundbreaking trip are now open. Once selected, participants will need to pay a deposit, which contributes to the estimated cost of over $10 million for a stay.
For more information, you can check out GRU Space here or explore NASA’s plans here.
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Artemis,moon,NASA,Space tourism
