Merging Hospitality with Space Travel
ORBITING INNOVAT ION:
THE INTERSECTION OF HOTELS , SPACE EXPLORATION, HOSPITALITY
AND EDUCATION
Curiosity, fascination and opportunity have been some of the most influential building blocks of Hilton Hotels for as long as it’s existed. It’s what propelled Conrad N. Hilton to take a risk on buying the Mobley Hotel, way back in 1919, and what led him to establish Hilton as a corporation known for its welcoming atmosphere and innovative approach, in 1946.
Today, our Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership has earned the reputation as a disruptive leader within hospitality management programs. No matter the age, if you’ve ever set foot on our campus, you’ve been pushed to dream
big.
While reading the 2024 Dean’s Report, you’ll likely notice a common theme that we’ve been
fantasizing about: It’s new, it’s maybe a little scary, but most of all, it’s astounding. We’re talking
about space tourism.
The concept of space tourism has many meanings, however, none of its definitions are fully
agreed upon because space tourism doesn’t truly exist yet. So, for the purpose of this Dean’s
Report, we’re defining space tourism as the experience a tourist has while they’re either in
space or involved in a space-related venture on Earth.
Earth from the Space Perspective
Until United States Astronaut Bill Anders photographed Earthrise in 1968, many viewed planet Earth as segmented by states, continents, mountains, oceans, etc. Earthrise was the first time Americans saw what Earth looks like from the lunar orbit. Symbolizing Earth’s beauty and fragility, the new worldview contributed to a cultural movement inspiring global environmental awareness, stewardship and societal unity.
“I think as humans, we want to look for meaning beyond ourselves… and that’s what space tourism means to me,” said Dr. Sujata Sirsat, associate professor at Hilton College.
Imagine looking at Earth while standing in space. Surely, your perspectives and what it means to be living will change. Humans crave distance beyond themselves to gain a new purpose.
This concept has been depicted in countless media, ever-growing in popularity since Neil Armstrong took that first step on the moon in 1969. Box office hits, like “Interstellar,” “Apollo 13”, “Martian” and “Gravity,” popular video games, like Halo and Mass Effect, or even best-selling books, like “An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth” and “The Keeper of the Stars,” share special tales of life outside planet Earth.
Humans are fascinated with space because curiosity craves exploration. Much like bringing the pages of a book to life inside your mind, everyone has a unique perception of space. Sure, there have been great strides in research, but many of us are still just in this imagination phase.
Barron Hilton’s Hotel on Space concept
Because many are still in that imagination phase, industry thought leaders are allowed to dream.
In May 1967, during a conference on outer space tourism, Hilton Hotels Corporation President and CEO at the time, Barron Hilton gave a popular lecture to a room filled with space enthusiasts from around the world. He shared two astounding visions for the future of his company: A 14-story laboratory and hotel which can hold 24 people and move around freely in space, named the Orbiter Hilton and an underground hotel built within the moon, named the Lunar Hilton.
Barron’s dream of the Lunar Hilton was a three-story masterpiece. The first level of the hotel would be entered through the surface of the moon. It would be used as public spaces, such as a hospital, dining room, entertainment area, galaxy lounge, kitchen, barber, beauty shop, drug store, giftshop, valet and even a room for aliens (yes – you read that right). Below it, the second level would be shaped like an “X,” with a lobby and elevator uniting perpendicular rows of guest rooms. Finally, the third level would consist of mechanical equipment. Each of these sections would be separated by air locks and lined with plastic that expands under air pressure.
Additionally, the 100 massive guest rooms would be lined with carpets and drapes and plants and wall-to-wall televisions and tables suspended from the ceiling! One could even view surrounding planets from the seats of a massive observation dome. Delectable meals would be prepared in an automated kitchen powered by a nuclear reactor. Tablets would be dropped into a mixture of pure ethyl alcohol and water to form any kind of instant martinis imaginable – all served in a galaxy lounge that had Thermopane windows and robotic wait staff.
Images that Barron presented at the conference on outer space tourism.
To give meeting attendees a visual frame of reference, Barron also presented mock keys to Lunar Hilton rooms, reservation cards for any time after the year 1980 and even a brochure advertising a “smog-free atmosphere, ” “profound silence” and the option for the trip to include a “transfer to interplanetary express.”
Maybe it was ambition from the Space Race, a competition between the U.S. and the Soviet Union from 1955-1975 to achieve superior spaceflight capabilities, or maybe it was simply a public relations campaign, but Barron was adamant Hilton would be the first hotel to stand in space.
Just one year after his presentation at the conference, one of the most popular films, “2001: A Space Odyssey,” hit theaters with a homage to Hilton Hotels. Stanley Kubrick’s science fiction film shares the story of astronauts on a mission, forced to overcome conflict between themselves and their machines. The movie includes a scene set within the rotating, futuristic space station’s luxury lounging area, displaying a giant sign that reads “Hilton Space Station 5.”
It is clear Barron wasn’t the only one rooting for the Hilton name upon the twinkling stars.
The History of Hilton College Space Tourism
You might be wondering how Hilton College is related to space tourism and what our specific goals are for the industry. To answer this question, we must do a little bit of backtracking.
In the spring of 1997, the College offered its first class related to space, named “Food Service Systems in Space: A Challenge for the 21st Century,” taught by Clinton L. Rappole (Hon. ’73), professor emeritus and former Hilton Distinguished Chair. The elective course enabled “students to learn about the past space-food program and the challenges ahead by offering first-hand experience,” according to the syllabus.
During the course, students went on field trips to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) food service laboratories, where leading scientists taught them all about nutrition, food engineering for space consumption, the evolution of food service systems, etc. They also saw the Saturn 5 Rocket before there was a building containing it, received a sneak peek of food being produced for astronauts in space and tested a menu based on plants that will be grown in space.
Speaking of food production, on Sept. 6, 1996, UH-Johnson Space Center Post-Doctoral Fellow Dr. Yael Vodovotz was selected for the project “A Food Service and Lodging System for Long Duration Missions in a Closed Environment,” under Rappole’s leadership. NASA provided a grant which allowed Vodovotz to work on campus 1.5 days each week, then at an office in NASA for the remainder of the week. As part of the project, Vodovotz worked to develop an Advanced Life Support Food System (ALS) for a Lunar Base and the Mars Loop.
Alongside Rappole and Dr. Charles Bourland, the former director of the NASA Space Food Program, Vodovotz (pictured below) selected, tested and modified several food items, such as a dehydrated tortilla and soymilk made from raw Hoty soybeans. The trio was quite creative when determining the foods they studied, as each menu item needed to be comprised of large amounts of nutritious carbohydrates, have a long enough shelf-life to be consumed after journeying to Mars and be easily stored without producing crumbs or spills.
25 years later, we’re still working with NASA on similar topics. Sirsat frequently visits and even teaches a class there on the importance of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP).
In the 1960s, Pillsbury and NASA collaborated to develop the HACCP process, which reduces risks of contaminants in food and ensures astronauts don’t become sick with foodborne illnesses. HACCP was so effective that the food industry and food processing companies began to use it as a proactive toolkit and system to reduce risks. It’s now integral to processing and serving food, as it eliminates extreme hazards.
In her teachings, Sirsat visited a food laboratory, where NASA scientists successfully grow crops. The team is currently developing how to grow healthier options, like fruits and vegetables, in clay versus soil. This significantly alters the microbiology of foods, and yet,
if the code was cracked, astronauts might just be able to stay in space a lot longer, because the challenges of transporting foods and sustaining them for months would be eliminated.
Our collaboration with NASA thus far has certainly been centered around food, given the opportunities, but there are many other topics of which we see ourselves providing insightful perspectives.
International Space Station (ISS), a large spacecraft that orbits Earth and is home to astronauts and cosmonauts from several nations, according to NASA. This platform, built in 2000, has grown into a highly capable microgravity laboratory focused on research.
In September 2021, the first all-civilian crew went to space during the Inspiration4 mission. The crew, comprised of four private individuals, boarded the Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Crew Dragon capsule and orbited Earth at a higher altitude than the ISS for three days. Likewise, in April 2022, the SpaceX Crew Dragon housed four more private individuals who were the first to commercially step foot onto ISS and stay for eight days, as part of the Ax-1 mission.
These two missions would not have been possible without Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX. Through the company, Musk has established himself as a key figure in commercial space travel and the space industry at large.
Musk and SpaceX have been coined an integral part of the Billionaire Space Race, the competition between wealthy individuals and their companies to advance space exploration, tourism and technology. Other key players include Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson and Jared Isaacman. Each has an individual reason for investing millions into exploration.
Dr. D. Christopher Taylor, professor and director of the Beverage Management Program and Fred Parks Wine Cellar at Hilton College, and Mark Ovesny (MS ’20) predict in their research study, “Stars in the Rearview Mirror: The Grand Tour as a Guide to the Development of Space Tourism,” that space tourism will roll out in three phases:
• The first phase will have very high costs, limiting participation to the ultra-wealthy. There will also be limited options for accommodations and activities (this is the current stage we are in).
• The second phase of tourism will have relatively high costs, but an increased participation to include the upper middle class. It will
also have a slight increase in accommodations and activities.
• The third phase will be financially accessible to the widest audience with several accommodations and activities.
The goal of the travelers within each of these phases should also shift from research to leisure. Surprisingly, preparations for these shifts are already underway.
How will Space Tourism Look on Earth?
When envisioning commercial space travel, there’s so much to plan for pre-and post-launch. Depending on the length and purpose of the mission, it could take several weeks or months to train safely. When travelers finally do take off, their families, friends, colleagues and even the press want to witness the larger-than-life moments.
As of right now, there aren’t many accommodations available to fulfill the needs of these individuals. Traveling to space recreationally and as a civilian is currently accessible to ultra-high-net-worth individuals. This demographic is often accustomed to luxurious dining and lodging accommodations, which could be built in the cities that are home to space training facilities and spaceship launch bases. Likewise, the tourists who support these travelers might be looking to understand or experience space themselves, but don’t have the means to do so.
“My uncle lives in Florida, and I can remember as a kid it was a really big deal to go outside when they were launching the space shuttle because you could see it go into the sky,” said Dr. Mary Dawson (’92, MHM ’95), the associate dean for academic affairs at Hilton College and an Eric Hilton Distinguished Chair Professor.
“There’s a whole tourism area centered around the spacecraft launching and landing; you can even stand on a viewing platform where food trucks are available during these peak times. There’s an immediate need for more infrastructures like this on Earth and our students would be perfect to operate it.”
The experience at Volusia County beaches near the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station are the perfect models for space tourism on Earth, but there’s also so much room for expansion. The tourism infrastructure could feature research laboratories, test kitchens, anti-gravity chambers, rooms that mimic space conditions, etc. These features would serve as a tourist attraction, research facility and training platform.
This type of space tourism doubles as destination tourism, in which our students are already training to be the leaders in.
Did You Know?
As accessibility increases, so will the need for sustainability on Mars. The Department of Energy has already provided radioisotope power systems that have safely enabled deep space exploration. These convert heat from the radioactive isotope plutonium-238 into electricity capable of producing and maintaining heat and electricity sources within the hazardous conditions of space.
NASA is also undergoing the Cryogenic Propellant Storage & Transfer Technology Demonstration Mission, which provides the “capability to safely and efficiently store, transfer and measure cryogenic propellants on-orbit,” according to their website. Essentially, this is like a gas station in space.
So, if electricity was able to be produced, supplies could be replenished and necessary equipment could be powered. If spacecrafts could be refue led, researchers and astronauts could prolong the length and effectiveness of their missions. And, if crops were grown rather than transported, habitants would be able to sustain nourishment.
“Each of these topics, and [many] other logistics that make mass tourism possible on Earth, will have to be redeveloped to accommodate that experience off-world,” said Taylor and Ovesny.
While there are still miles ahead for humanity, these possibilities are in sight. It is proven that the first phase of Taylor and Ovesny’s predictions of space tourism are already happening. So, if developments continue to be made, we don’t see why tourism couldn’t exist in space one day.
“And one of the exciting things about space tourism or a habitat in space is that it’s another way to support life,” said Rappole.
Why us and why now?
Hilton College has had a hand in astronomical advancements, even in small capacities, for over two decades. But, it seems that this year, there is a highly increased level of conversation surrounding the topic, not just internally, but campus wide.
This is partially because of our proximity to NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center – we’re a short 25 miles away. Since 1967, Houston has been named the “Space City” after the federal government selected it as the home of the astronauts – quite literally, as many astronauts live in
Houston full-time to undergo year-round training. And while there are many areas around the world to launch into space, Houston’s mission control manages the U.S. segments of the ISS. It’s no surprise the city is filled with legacy, innovation and vitality.
It’s also because the University of Houston (UH) chose “The New Space Race” as the theme of their Fall/Winter 2023 Magazine. The beautifully designed pages tell many tales, including Barron Hilton’s plan to live beyond Earth in a Lunar Hilton; the billionaires who are taking space research into their own hands, or rather, their own wallets; and how “the more we know, the less we understand.”
Likewise, UH’s Cullen College of Engineering has a heavy hand in preparing students for careers related to space. In fact, they have their own Space Architecture master’s program, which came into fruition 36 years ago, after industry leaders especially NASA, wanted engineers with applicable degrees.
Today, Cullen’s program places graduates with some of the largest companies exploring space. Their “directors and professors are currently working on perfecting an augmented reality training room that provides students – through the power of green screens, props, harnesses and mixed reality goggles – an immersive and realistic training experience, complete with an upper-body suit that restricts movement, similar to a spacesuit,” according to the Fall/Winter 2023 magazine.
Rappole collaborated with Cullen’s Larry Bell, AIAA, ASCAE, a director emeritus, SICSA and space architecture endowed professor, on research about habitats for people in outer space. Rappole often helped him brainstorm new solutions and gave feedback on food, water and waste elimination within one of these habitats.
Internally, astronomical ventures are also on the mind, especially during the 51st Annual Gourmet Night, as student managers chose Astro Renaissance as the theme. From the moment guests stepped foot in the hotel, they were transported to a different world. Ballrooms elegantly displayed decor of a deep, wondrous star-filled sky and extraterrestrial beings walked the halls, granting permission for all to dream bigger.
UH is filled with wonder, enchantment and excitement for the new possibilities space could bring.
Let’s Bring Space Tourism to Hilton College Permanently
It’s Hilton College’s goal to be a leader in the arena with the first designated space tourism track, but we’ve still got some work to do.
Student success has always been at the forefront of any decision we make. For students to be successful after they leave our College, we must set them up with the tools and knowledge to obtain a career in the field they’re investing their time and money into pursuing.
We will continue to stand by this. Hilton College does not intend to be the leader in space tourism until it makes sense to do so. And while Rappole’s “Food Service Systems in Space: A Challenge for the 21st Century,” course might have been ahead of its time, it taught the College what is essential for a space tourism track or course to be successful today “
1.
It must be led by a faculty member who is truly passionate about space and has connections to experts who share a similar affinity. For example, Rappole didn’t have formal teachings related to space, but he was fascinated by the topic since a young boy. Upon moving to Houston, he networked with individuals who were the experts, many of whom worked at NASA, and combined their specialties with his knowledge of the classroom. His knack for research helped develop applicable teachings and advancements in the field that continue to be used today.
2.
Collaboration is also crucial because, in space, everything is connected. For instance, food is essential for survival, but it can also impact an individual’s psychological state. Food for astronauts must be creative and adaptable because their food influences the functionality of the long-term living habitat or even the functionality of the equipment used to gather and analyze research. Things that don’t hold much significance on Earth, like a crumb, can make a huge difference when there’s no gravity. We’ve used food as an example, but this is one incredibly small drop of water in the sea of space. Progression requires interdisciplinary studies.
3.
For a course or track centered around space tourism to be beneficial for students, it must also provide tools to help them succeed post-graduation, such as a career path. We face barriers in meeting this goal, largely because the world is not yet ready for space tourism. Space exploration has been slow to progress and it’s hard to imagine a hotel on the moon or Mars when tourists aren’t able to travel there yet. But when we expand the concept of space tourism to include accommodations on Earth, our students do have the potential to lead the initiative.
Academics, like Sujata, can take space tourism to the next level through holistic research, meaningful student experiences and unwavering passion.
Astronaut Loren Shriver demonstrates how objects act in microgravity while enjoying a snack of candy coated peanuts. Photo courtesy of NASA.
Embracing the concept of space tourism, tasks as simple as handing out a room key could be revamped with fun decor to match the atronomical atmosphere.
So, we ask you now… What does your vision for the future of space tourism look like and what can you do to set these sights into reality? Our goals may be ambitious, but when leaders take educated risks, rewards are in sight.
As you may have found within these pages, space exploration is quite complex, but this is exciting because the current momentum paves the path for opportunity. As our Gourmet Night 2024 managers said it best, the sky was never the limit.
Humanity was always meant to explore and so is the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership!
