SPACE HOTEL

The Von Braun Space Station, based on the concepts of a controversial scientist, is moving ahead with construction plans.

• The Gateway Foundation is building a space hotel, based on the concepts of a Nazi and American rocket scientist Wernher von Braun.
• The space station is expected to be operational by 2025.
• The company plans to assemble it in orbit, using robots and drones.

If Earthly destinations are not enough to quench your wanderlust, a trip to a space hotel might get on your radar within the next few years. The designer of the Von Braun Space Station revealed numerous plans that detail the construction of a veritable resort in space.

Built by the Gateway Foundation, the world's first space hotel will have gravity, bars, inviting interiors and full-fledged kitchens. They plan to have the station visited by about 100 tourists per week by 2025.

The designer of the project, Tim Alatorre, wants to make traveling to space commonplace.

"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,"

thinks that while initially space travel will be the domain of the uber-wealthy, soon enough it will be available to regular folks.

The Space Station will utilize existing tech used at the International Space Station, but will differ in one crucial aspect – the hotel will have artificial gravity, making long-term stay much more manageable. The designer thinks gravity, about a sixth of Earth's, will add a "sense of direction and orientation that isn't present in the ISS." You'd also be able to go to a toilet, shower or eat food the way you are used toilet

Some of the modules could be sold like condos. Others will be available for scientific research to governments and the like.

The designer explained that the interiors of the hotel will be created using modern natural materials that would substitute for stone and wood and be lightweight and easy to clean. The warm-colored lighting, paints and textures will add to a homey feel.

If you're wondering what you can do for fun in such an environment, the designers are planing to provide such activities as low-gravity basketball, trampolining and rock climbing. You can also play something akin to Quidditch from Harry Potter and new games that would have to be figured out to take advantage of the fresh possibilities.

How will the station be built? By using automated systems like drones and robots, while in orbit. It will also make use of GSAL, special space construction machinery developed by Orbital Construction.