Diving into the future of space travel, Orbital Assembly Corporation reveals exciting updates for their space hotel concept, which has been orbiting since 2019. This pioneering idea, initially proposed by Gateway Foundation before becoming popularly known as the Von Braun Station, consists of multiple modules connected by elevators, creating a rotation that circumnavigates Earth.
Currently, Orbital Assembly oversees the project, having severed ties with Gateway Foundation. The company aims to launch not one, but two space stations offering tourist accommodations: the Voyager Station and the Pioneer Station. The Voyager Station, renamed from the original concept, will accommodate 400 people and is scheduled to open in 2027. Meanwhile, the more compact Pioneer Station, seating just 28 passengers, is slated to launch in 2025.
Tim Alatorre, COO of Orbital Assembly, shares his optimism that the rising trend of space travel will eventually eliminate the financial barrier that has hindered widespread space vacationing.
"Our goal was always to provide an opportunity for a large number of people to live, work, and grow in space," Alatorre told CNN Travel in a recent interview.
The allure of the Pioneer Station lies in its smaller size and quicker deployment, potentially drawing in more people to experience space on a larger scale and at a faster pace. Additionally, commercial offices and research facilities will also be leased at the Pioneer and Voyager stations.
Alatorre points out that the business model presents a "win-win" situation for Orbital Assembly, as many of its short-term objectives depend on funding.
The orbital assembly envisions both space stations orbiting like a spinning top, keeping pace with Earth. In a 2019 CNN Travel interview, Alatorre compared the physics of the Voyager Station to that of a rotating bucket of water—the contents of the station are pushed around the circumference as it spins, similar to the procedure in a rotating bucket.
At the center, there will be no artificial gravity; however, the sensation of gravity gradually increases as one moves towards the outer edges of the station. Alatorre recently mentioned that the physics of the Pioneer Station will be slightly different, as it will be smaller, leading to a unique gravitational experience. While the amenities remain the same—showers, seating, and eating areas—the lack of substantial gravity differences will open up the possibility for unique adventures.
The interior designs of both station concepts hint at luxurious hotel rooms that resemble those found on Earth, yet boast impressive views of space. Alatorre, an architect by background, previously stated that the hotel aesthetic has been directly inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s film "2001: A Space Odyssey," calling it "almost a blueprint of what not to do."
The original name "Von Braun Station" was chosen for the space hotel, as it was inspired by Wernher von Braun's designs from over 60 years ago. Although Von Braun played a pivotal role in both German and American rocket technology, his past involvement in Nazi rocket development remains a contentious point.
"At this station, it's not really about him," former Orbital Assembly CEO John Blincow explained to CNN Travel in 2021. "It's based on his designs, and we appreciate his contributions to science and space. But I'm not connected to the company anymore, I said."
Alatorre emphasized that it is not only the wealthy elites who will have an opportunity to venture into space tourism. Orbital Assembly is actively working to make space accessible to all, not just the select few.
However, some challenges lie ahead for shaping a space tourism community, including determining the optimal amount of artificial gravity and adhering to radiation safety guidelines. Alatorre admits that, as visitors may not stay longer than a few weeks, regulatory concerns are less of an issue for tourists, but will pose more significant challenges for the space station staff.
As Orbital Assembly moves forward with their ambitious plans, critics raise concerns about the financial and environmental implications of space tourism.
In response to these criticisms, Alatorre highlighted the many life-changing technologies that have originated from space exploration, such as GPS. He also suggested that living in space could promote the development of a sustainable society, leveraging resources diversely throughout the solar system.
"This closed-loop system will change the culture and how people think about resource utilization," Alatorre stated. "Our world is not just Earth; it's the entire solar system. There are many resources out there, and if we begin to tap into and utilize these resources, it will significantly improve living conditions on Earth."
Despite the current high costs associated with space travel tickets, Alatorre remains optimistic, confident that the time will come when space travel becomes more accessible.
"To the naysayers or doubters, I always say: 'Give us time. It will happen. It won't happen overnight. Wait until we're out there, let us prove that we're out there, let us show you what we're doing. Then you can make a judgment.'"
Orbital Assembly also plans to implement artificial gravity in certain areas of the space station, but also some rooms without gravitational force—which they believe could serve interesting purposes, such as basketball courts with a "space-twist."
Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
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The following sentences contain the word "travel" and are related to the given text:
- Space travel is the goal of Orbital Assembly Corporation, and the company is developing self-structuring robots to construct space hotels with artificial gravity.
- Orbital Assembly Corporation hopes to attract tourists with the Voyager Station, a luxury space hotel blueprinted after Stanley Kubrick’s movie "2001: A Space Odyssey."
"Accessible space," as envisioned by Orbital Assembly Corporation, will rely on autonomous robots to build long-term space structures like luxury hotels. The company's three main strategies to make space travel accessible include:
- Voyager Station: Orbital Assembly is developing the Voyager Station, a luxury space hotel, to provide travelers with an outstanding space vacation experience. The station will boast amenities like bars, restaurants, private rooms, and gyms, as well as a platform for concerts and live performances. At over 12,000 square meters in living area, the Voyager Station will accommodate up to 400 guests at a time. The station will provide artificial gravity, ensuring guests receive a force of 1/6th of Earth's gravity[1].
- DSTAR Robots: Orbital Assembly is developing autonomous robots called DSTAR (Demonstrator Structural Truss Assembly Robot) to build large space structures autonomously. The company plans to test these robots through a demonstration in June 2023, where they will construct an 11,000 square meters truss the size of a football field. By deploying these robots, Orbital Assembly hopes to reduce the need for human spacewalks, making space construction more economical and safe[1].
- Funding and Launch: Orbital Assembly has raised $1 million in equity crowdfunding to support its mission, but needs $200 million more by 2023. It estimates the first two parts of the Voyager Station could cost up to $2 billion, with the overall cost of the station nearing $8.6 billion. SpaceX’s Starship rocket and Boeing's Starliner are potential candidates for launching both passengers and cargo to the Voyager Station, thanks to reduced launch costs from Elon Musk[1].
- Autonomous Spacecraft: Robotic exploration will likely play a significant role in space travel by constructing and maintaining space infrastructure. Autonomous spacecraft will also be used for resource extraction, scientific research, and human space missions, expanding the opportunities of space travel and hospitality[1].
To sum it up, Orbital Assembly Corporation intends to make space travel more viable by using autonomous robots to assemble large space structure like the Voyager Station, a luxury space hotel that offers an unforgettable vacation experience. By means of testing DSTAR robots in a 2023 demonstration and raising the necessary capital, Orbital Assembly is one step closer to making accessible space travel a reality.
