Space Hotel to Offer Luxurious Tourism Experience as of 2025

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson wears his astronaut's wings at a news conference, after flying with a crew in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity to the edge of space at
Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, US, July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper
Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson wears his astronaut's wings at a news conference, after flying with a crew in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity to the edge of space at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, US, July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper
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Space Hotel to Offer Luxurious Tourism Experience as of 2025

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson wears his astronaut's wings at a news conference, after flying with a crew in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity to the edge of space at
Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, US, July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper
Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson wears his astronaut's wings at a news conference, after flying with a crew in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity to the edge of space at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, US, July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper

Plans for a new space hotel - set to open in 2025 - have been unveiled showing the plush interior with stunning views of the galaxy, according to The Mirror.

Orbital Assembly, a US-based space company, has unveiled its concept for the hotel that includes several modules connected by left shafts to make up a rotating wheel as it orbits Earth. The company hopes to launch two space stations: Voyager Station and Pioneer Station.

Pioneer Station could be made operational in just three years and can house up to 28 people. Voyager Station, which is set to open in 2027, will be made to accommodate up to 400 people at one time. The company's goal is to run a space “business park” home for offices but will also hold tourists.

The step comes as space tourism seems to truly be on the horizon. Recently, Virgin founder Richard Branson went into space as well as Star Trek actor William Shatner. However, space travel has always been seen as inaccessible to everyone apart from the wealthy.

Tim Alatorre, Orbital Assembly's CEO, told CNN Travel: “It's going to get us the opportunity to have people start to experience space on a larger scale, faster.”

The office and research spaces will be up for rent on both stations. Despite being in space, there will be what Alatorre calls the ‘comforts’ of artificial gravity, which include shows and being able to have a meal while sitting down.



Heavy Rain in Northern Japan Triggers Floods, Landslides

A road is flooded after a heavy rain in Sakata, Yamagata prefecture, northern Japan Friday, July 26, 2024. Heavy rain hit northern Japan Thursday, triggering floods and landslides, disrupting transportation systems and forcing hundreds of residents to take shelter at safer grounds. (Kyodo News via AP)
A road is flooded after a heavy rain in Sakata, Yamagata prefecture, northern Japan Friday, July 26, 2024. Heavy rain hit northern Japan Thursday, triggering floods and landslides, disrupting transportation systems and forcing hundreds of residents to take shelter at safer grounds. (Kyodo News via AP)
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Heavy Rain in Northern Japan Triggers Floods, Landslides

A road is flooded after a heavy rain in Sakata, Yamagata prefecture, northern Japan Friday, July 26, 2024. Heavy rain hit northern Japan Thursday, triggering floods and landslides, disrupting transportation systems and forcing hundreds of residents to take shelter at safer grounds. (Kyodo News via AP)
A road is flooded after a heavy rain in Sakata, Yamagata prefecture, northern Japan Friday, July 26, 2024. Heavy rain hit northern Japan Thursday, triggering floods and landslides, disrupting transportation systems and forcing hundreds of residents to take shelter at safer grounds. (Kyodo News via AP)

Heavy rain hit northern Japan Thursday, triggering floods and landslides, disrupting transportation systems and forcing hundreds of residents to take shelter at safer grounds.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued emergency warnings of heavy rain for several municipalities in the Yamagata and Akita prefecture, where warm and humid air was flowing.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida urged the affected area’s residents to “put safety first” and pay close attention to the latest information from the authorities.

According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, one person went missing in Yuzawa city — in the Akita prefecture — after being hit by a landslide at a road construction site.

Rescue workers in the city evacuated 11 people from the flooded area with the help of a boat.

In the neighboring Yamagata prefecture, more than 10 centimeters (4 inches) of rain fell in the hardest-hit Yuza and Sakata towns within an hour earlier Thursday.

Thousands of residents in the area were advised to take shelter at higher and safer grounds, but it was not immediately known how many people took that advice.

Yamagata Shinkansen bullet train services were partially suspended on Thursday, according to East Japan Railway Company.

The agency predicted up to 20 centimeters (8 inches) of more rainfall in the region through Friday evening, urging residents to remain cautious.