A California-based start-up is inviting wealthy adventure seekers to reserve a hotel room on the moon. Galactic Resource Utilization Space (GRU) has officially opened their booking website, allowing customers to secure a spot in what they claim will be “the first-ever permanent off-Earth structure.” To join this exclusive venture, interested parties must pay a hefty deposit of $1,000,000.
Founded by Skyler Chan, a recent graduate from the University of California, Berkeley, GRU aims to construct the lunar hotel by 2032. The company has outlined its ambitious plans, which include using a proprietary system for habitation modules and an automated process to transform lunar soil into durable structures. Construction is set to commence in 2029, contingent upon regulatory approval.
The initial clientele for this out-of-this-world experience is expected to comprise participants from prior commercial space flights and affluent couples searching for a unique honeymoon destination. GRU believes that tourism will play a crucial role in establishing a sustainable lunar economy, which they describe as “the fastest path for humanity to become interplanetary.”
In a statement, Chan expressed optimism about the future of human space exploration, stating, “We live during an inflection point where we can actually become interplanetary before we die. If we succeed, billions of human lives will be born on the moon and Mars and be able to experience the beauty of lunar and Martian life.”
Vision for Lunar Tourism and Exploration
Chan, who is only 21 years old, developed the moon hotel concept during his time at the start-up accelerator Y-Combinator. He has successfully secured funding from investors associated with prominent companies, including SpaceX and Anduril, a firm focused on autonomous defense systems.
The creation of a permanent base on the moon aligns with the broader vision for U.S. space expansion, led by the new NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and supported by government initiatives. Chan hopes that GRU will contribute significantly to these plans, which aim to strengthen humanity’s presence beyond Earth.
In addition to hotel accommodations, the company has released a white paper detailing a strategy for expanding human habitation on the moon. This plan begins with the luxurious hotel but envisions a larger settlement in the future.
“I’ve been obsessed with space since I was a kid,” Chan reflected. “I’ve always wanted to become an astronaut, and feel extremely fortunate to be doing my life’s work.”
As the countdown to the moon hotel begins, GRU is poised to capture the imagination of those seeking adventure in an entirely new frontier.
