VOYAGER STATION, 2027

a vacation way, way off the beaten path and...

Out of this WORLD Voyager Station, 2027

By Joseph Edward Schur

Yuri Gagaron, April 12, 1961. History. The Russian cosmonaut spent exactly 108 minutes in space orbiting the Earth. Just 23 days later on May 5, 1961, NASA's Alan Shepard made a 15 minute suborbital flight that reached an altitude of 115 miles. And that was just the beginning of humans conquering space.

Let’s jump ahead to 1998 when the first components of the International Space Station were launched. On November 2, 2000 the first long-term residents arrived at ISS, the largest artificial object in space orbiting the Earth. For now.

As a young boy, I spent countless Saturday afternoons at my local theater watching B-movies about outer space, like Flash Gordon, Rocketship X-M, Queen

of Outerspace, Teenagers From Outerspace, and of course the legendary Plan 9 From Outer Space. Yes, I was enthralled with outer space, refusing to accept that it was nothing but science fiction. Hollywood aside, I’ve always been optimistic that one day a regular Joe like myself would break through Earth’s atmosphere into space. Some 60 years later, I'm actually considering a vacation, maybe even a Spencer party orbiting our planet.

Who is responsible for making this happen?

You can thank the team at the Orbital Assembly Corporation, a branch of The Gateway Foundation, which was set up in 2012. Originally called The Von Braun Space Station, the out-of-this-world hotel has been rebranded as The Voyager Station. Construction is scheduled to commence in 2025, utilizing robots in space, assembling the station while in low Earth orbit. Shaped like a giant doughnut, with a diameter of 200 meters, Voyager Station will consist of 24 modules in the outer ring. The amenities are similar to what you would expect on a first-class cruise ship, including luxury hotel suites, restaurants, a skybar, a gymnasium, and even a concert venue. And just in case you're bored on board, how

about a space walk? “There’s nothing between you and the universe but the face plate,” astronauts claim. “Going out there and looking at the whole solar system and the Earth from the outside, it’s going to be an extraordinary moment."

Of course, you might be thinking: "What if I'm floating around like I'm in some kind of goopy-goo lava lamp? How can I sip my Dom Perignon without fear of staining my Chanel shoes?" A fair question, and the answer is simple. It's called artificial-gravity and that won't be a problem. We can thank Dr. Wernher von Braun, the first center director at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Back in the 1950s, von Braun conceptualized the first space station, which was derived from other, older ideas. Essentially, the station will rotate about its axis, creating an environment of artificial gravity. Thus, everyone inside the station will experience what’s called centripetal acceleration.

So, you'll be able to eat, sleep and shower like all of the rest of the "landlubbers" on Earth.

So, why not make a reservation right now for you and your family? The price tag is in the neighborhood of $5 million USD per person, double occupancy. Okay, actually not that expensive, everything considered, as it does include the return flight aboard the SpaceX Starship shuttle. Checkout time? You'll have to ask at the front desk.

While writing this travel article, my imagination goes ballistically wild, of course. I’m thinking about a movie:

“Wedding Crashers in Space” starring Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn and Rachel McAdams. Based, of course, on Director David Dobkin’s hilarious, hit movie back in 2005, Wedding Crashers. Don't blame me for planting any seeds here, but just for fun... imagine wedding planners out there, chomping-at-the-bit to be the first ones to hold services in space, because, well, wouldn't that be cool? You'll have to consider the details though, beyond just the cost. For example, capacity for the hotel is limited to 280 guests, and each invitee would have to undergo both safety and physical training. So it kind of leaves Uncle Albert out as he's pushing 375 lbs. on a good day. Is it just me or don't we all have an Uncle Albert?! Oh, nuts.

Are we in the "golden age" of space vacations? No. We're on the precipice. It's rather expensive right now but that will change. There are thousands of people already making reservations. And I’m one of them, obviously. See you up there!

Space, the final holiday frontier?