Genesis II: Inflatable Space Hotel

by Justin Glow on

The Genesis II, an inflatable space module recently sent into orbit via a Russian rocket, is the starting point to what hopes to become a “full-scale space hotel.” Bigelow Aerospace, the company behind the project, plans to launch another module later this year that will link up with the Genisis II, and hopefully become the world’s highest (and most expensive, I’m sure) hotel room.

Don’t count on booking a trip anytime soon, however. “[E]xperts say the costs of commercial space travel need to come down before it can be a success,” says the BBC. “As a result, Mr Bigelow is offering a $50m prize to anyone who can design a craft capable of carrying five people to a height of 400km (250 miles) before 2010.”

Cool.

[Via Engadget]

The Greatest and Most Unusual Travel Photo of All Time?

by Willy Volk on

I stumbled over this image just now, and it took my breath away.

Everything about the image is just so amazing: The poof-y shapes of the clouds in the background… The electric blue line that marks the boundary of the atmosphere… The absolute void of color that is space juxtaposed against the brilliant white space suit… The fact that you can see the photographer’s reflection in the mask of the astronaut… The slight, slo-mo wave the astronaut is giving, as if to say, “Tell my wife I love her very much, she knows…“

In my opinion, this may be the greatest travel photo of all time. I love it.

Be sure to check out the larger image here. And for other great travel photos — none of which were taken in space — be sure to browse through our Photos of the Day.

Have Your Honeymoon in Space

by Jonathon Morgan on

My fiance and I occasionally speculate about where we’d like to have our honeymoon. Someplace urban? Someplace close to nature? Maybe both?

One option we hadn’t considered, is space.

That’s the plan for Loretta and George Whitesides, the couple who intend to have their honeymoon in zero gravity. You can learn all about the couple’s mission du love at their new Web site, spacelove.org.

Here’s an excerpt: “We hope that with our flight, we can help bring love and peace to a place that is very important to us – space,” said Loretta (…) The sub-orbital spaceflight will launch the couple over 100 km high, past the boundary of space. The flight will include several minutes of weightlessness, a view of the blackness of space and the curvature of the Earth.”

Sounds romantic, indeed. Check out the site for updates on the couple’s preparation, and advice on how you can have your very own outer space marriage!

[via Boing Boing]

Win A Trip To Space!

by Willy Volk on

I’m gonna be honest: thinking about traveling to space doesn’t get me fired up. I mean, there’s nothing there to see or do or eat. There aren’t any people to talk to. I guess I could take some cool pictures, and learning how a spaceship works might be cool. But…I think I’ll stick to Earth.

If you have a different take on space travel than me — and you’re an “ordinary resident” in the UK — this might be your lucky day. New Scientist has teamed up with Audi to offer one winner an out-of-this-world experience: a sub-orbital flight that will take you 62 miles above the earth’s surface. The flight will be provided by Space Adventures, who have already sent private space explorers into orbit. (Your flight won’t take place until 2009, though.)

How do you win? Unfortunately for the dullards out there (but great for the smarty-pants among ye), winning this prize takes some imagination. New Scientist wants you to tell them what you believe is the world’s best patented invention — and why. You have only 250 words to explain yourself. (This post is 240 words long.) The judges will be looking for originality in both the choice of invention and the reasoning. Before you just whip off a submission, be mindful that entries are visible to everyone, which can make for some painful reading! All entries must be received by April 30, 2007. Good luck!

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of November 26

by Adrienne Wilson on

Am I the only one who can’t believe it is December 1st? Where did November go? Where did the year go? How time flashes! If the end of the week managed to sneak up on you as fast as it got me you might want to review some of these posts found here over the week.

5. ABBA Museum to Debut in 2008:
Come on! You can’t tell me you’re not excited by the news. Get your dancing feet to this one to find out the details on the new Sweden based museum.

4. Maps of the World:
Erik brings our attention to the poor quality of maps too often found in guidebooks and then provides some good resources to finding good maps to take on your trip. AAA and another site new to me called, Just Maps are the only two that he mentions, but it’s a good starting place if you’re completely lost.

3.Magnifique Martinique:
Considering how popular the islands become once winter storms start pounding less tropical lands I thought this piece on the French Caribbean island of Martinique needed extra mentioning. It’s high on my travel agenda for that particular region of the world.

2. Garlic Card:
As a child I was never a fan of garlic, but this is mostly due to my aunt draping it in my window to protect me from vampires. I kid you not. However, some people can’t go a day with seasoning their food with a pinch of garlic. Neil brings us information on a Garlic card that can be used to help bring extra flavor and taste to your meals while camping in the great outdoors. I’m sure it will protect you from vampires in the woods as well, if you buy into that stuff.

1. Space Tourism Details Start to Fill In:
Everyone ready to go to space? More and more details are starting to come in on Space Tourism and it even looks somewhat affordable. If you think about $200,000 is a lot more affordable than $20 million bucks.