1. Hilton Partners with Voyager Space
2. The Concept of Space Hotels
3. NASA’s Role in Commercial Space Stations
4. Future of Starlab
Hilton has become the official hotel partner of Voyager Space, which intends to launch its Starlab private space station as early as 2027. Hilton will design the communal spaces and crew accommodations on the space station.
Space hotels might seem like a sci-fi fantasy; however, they are on their way to becoming a reality. Hilton has partnered with Voyager Space to build and operate a private space station in low-Earth orbit (LEO) called Starlab.
Interestingly, Hilton is not a total stranger to space. In 2020, it became the first hospitality brand to participate in research aboard the International Space Station (ISS) — astronauts used the world’s first space oven to bake the famous DoubleTree by Hilton cookies while in orbit. These cookies became the first food baked in space.
However, the Starlab project is substantially more monumental, even though it’s far from being a true space hotel.
Starlab is one of four private space stations currently under development through NASA’s Commercial LEO Destinations Program, which seeks replacements for the ISS after it is decommissioned in 2030. NASA’s ultimate goal for this program is for private companies to launch LEO space stations, from which it can purchase services. This approach is similar to how NASA buys rocket launches from SpaceX for its astronauts.
In 2021, NASA awarded Voyager Space’s parent company, NanoRacks, $160 million to develop Starlab, which will house the George Washington Carver (GWC) Science Park, an in-orbit laboratory. This grant was the largest in the program.
Hilton’s involvement in this project will focus on crew accommodations and communal spaces — Starlab will have the capacity to accommodate up to four astronauts simultaneously. While it is anticipated that Starlab will initially be used by professional astronauts, the concept of space tourism remains a possibility.
“For decades, discoveries in space have positively impacted life on Earth, and now Hilton has an opportunity to use this unique environment to improve guest experiences wherever people travel,” stated Chris Nassetta, Hilton’s president and CEO. This landmark collaboration emphasizes Hilton’s commitment to spreading the light and warmth of hospitality, providing a friendly and reliable stay — whether on the ground or in outer space.
Voyager expects Starlab to be operational as early as 2027, although space programs are notorious for their delays. Nonetheless, one intriguing question remains: will astronauts be able to earn Hilton Honors points during their stay?
