Space Pod Hotel Gives Galactic Tourists an Out of This World View

<a href="http://inhabitat.com/paypal-founder-invests-1-25-million-to-create-floating-micro-countries/" target="_blank">Space tourism</a> has become a reality -- albeit for the extremely rich, like Richard Branson. Now Russian design team <a href="http://www.orbitec.com/" target="_blank">Orbital Technologies</a> are jumping on board the market for galactic vacations with their Commercial Space Station (CSS) hotel pod. Designed to be serve as a multiuse <a href="http://inhabitat.com/providences-wooly-fair-brings-artists-and-visitors-to-the-moon/" target="_blank">space station</a>, the solar-powered orbiting space leisure craft could be a new vacation destination by 2016.

CSS will orbit the Earth from 217 miles away, where it will serve as a space station for scientific missions, as well as commercial use. Seven guests can luxuriate in one of the four <a href="http://inhabitat.com/6-high-flying-treehouses-for-the-true-escapist/" target="_blank">hotel cabins</a> on a vacation that offers views like no other - via large <a href="http://inhabitat.com/frances-museumotel-is-a-bubbly-retreat-complete-with-pod-homes/" target="_blank">viewing portholes</a>. Solar panels provide power for the orbiting hotel.

Guests sleep in zippered vertical or horizontal sleeping bags, which keep them safe from floating about the cabin - a bit different from traditional camping. The bathrooms feature waterless air-flushing toilets.

Tourists get a little more luxury than regular old astronauts - they may shower in a fully-sealed water cubicle, as opposed to the sponge baths that most astronauts endure when on a mission.

Also unlike “regular’ astronauts, no freeze-dried ice cream or spaghetti will be munched. Prepared on Earth, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/bee-friendly-furniture-grows-herbs-for-londons-national-theater-restaurant/" target="_blank">gourmet meals</a> such as “braised veal cheeks with wild mushrooms and white bean puree,” are transported, then microwaved on board the hotel deck. Unfortunately, no alcohol is allowed.

After the peak <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nasas-juno-spaceship-to-jupiter-will-make-the-most-distant-use-of-solar-power-ever/" target="_blank">space tourist </a>season is over, CSS can be used for up to six months by scientists, and it will serve as an emergency station should a passing <a href="http://inhabitat.com/live-video-farthest-ever-solar-powered-journey-takes-off-today-for-jupiter/" target="_blank">space craft</a> face trouble.

No need to worry how you’ll get to the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nau-architects-unveil-self-sustaining-living-roof-pod-home-concept/" target="_blank">hotel pod</a> - Orbital Technologies has made this an all-inclusive trip. The leisurely two-day journey by <a href="http://inhabitat.com/italian-scientist-proposes-craft-to-clean-up-space-junk/" target="_blank">Soyuz rocket</a> will set you back around $826,000. A five night hotel stay, including the microwaved gourmet meals, weighs in at just $165,000.