While the hotel was never realized, the drive to commercialize the space lives on.
A hotel on the moon. It’s a concept that was once far-fetched, but with the advances and commercialization of space exploration, it is now more of a potential reality 50+ years later.
Ideas, though “symbolic” for Americans to sit back and relax or have a drink in a hotel in space, were about two years before astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins were forever engraved in history.
It all dates back to 1967 when then-President of Hilton Hotels, Barron Hilton, spoke to astronomers and space enthusiasts at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society.
“Hardly a day goes by without someone jovially asking me when the Lunar Hilton will open. You’re kidding, of course. But I’m not kidding at all … I firmly believe we will have Hiltons in space, maybe soon enough to officiate at the official opening of the first, ”said Hilton. according to archives.
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At the event, Hilton shared his conceptual vision for a space hotel called the Orbiter Hilton or Lunar Hilton with large rooms, carpets, curtains, wall-to-wall TVs, and plants. The groceries guests have access to during their stay would be “as good as on earth”, according to Barron.
“If you think we won’t have a cocktail lounge, you don’t know Hilton – or travelers. Enter the Galaxy Lounge. Enjoy a martini and see the stars, “he added.
And while the plans were great, they have never materialized in the more than 50 years since then. Archivists describe the Space Hotel talks as a mixture of “honest speculation and playful humor”.
Fast forward to 2021 and interest from space agencies and businesses in a more permanent space on the moon continues to grow.
In 2019, CNN reported The Gateway Foundation was working on the construction of the Von Braun Station with the goal of making it fully operational by 2027. NBC news added that the spaceship will be large enough to house two hotels and hold 100 guests – along with possibly three times as many crew members.
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Then there is the upcoming Artemis mission, which aims to bring the next man and woman to the moon since 1972. To this end, some elements and contracts still have to be made.
The Artemis program is inspired by NASAs Apollo program and how it proved that it is possible to land people on the moon and bring them back to earth safely. In Greek mythology, Artemis is the twin sister of Apollo.
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