It's certainly not a bargain, but then, space travel isn't cheap these days.
When The Galactic Suite Space Resort opens for business in 2012, well-heeled guests will be charged $4.4 million for a three night stay at the first planned hotel in space - eight-week training course on a tropical island included.
Reuters reports that Galactic Suite Ltd, the company behind the space resort, announced that the project is still on target to open its portals in 2012. The Spanish architects plan to initially orbit a single pod, which can hold four guests and two astronaut pilots, 280 miles above the earth. In order to maintain its orbit, the pod would travel at 18,641 miles per hour.
Guests would hitch a ride up with British tycoon Richard Branson's space tours firm, Virgin Galactic, at a cost of $200,000 a ride. Once on board, guests would experience the perks of space travel - wearing a velcro suit for easy maneuverability, seeing the sun rise 15 times a day, and circling the globe every 80 minutes.
Even in these tough economic times, demand is high. According to the Reuters article, over 200 people have inquired about the space hotel and "at least 43 people have already reserved.