The U.S.-based company GRU Space describes on its website a project called GRU (Galactic Resource Utilization), which aims to establish a series of permanent structures on the Moon. The planned centerpiece of the initiative is a hotel, the “First Lunar Hotel”. The project does not present itself as conventional space tourism – likely also to avoid related criticism – but rather as an early phase of a long-term human presence beyond Earth. GRU targets a small group of participants who are willing to become involved in the construction process at an early stage. The process begins with an application procedure that requires a non-refundable fee. If accepted into the program, a substantial deposit is required, which will later be credited toward the total cost. Final pricing has not yet been set but is expected to exceed 10 million U.S. dollars. In addition, medical, personal, and financial screenings are planned. Applications are to be reviewed starting in 2026, with an initial lunar mission for technical preparation scheduled for 2029. From 2031 onward, habitats such as the Lunar Cave Base are to be installed and training activities are to begin. Subsequently, the first hotel on the Moon is expected to begin operations – according to the timeline on the website, as early as 2032. In illustrations, the structure oscillates between ancient temples, Palladian villas, and Swiss grand hotels as imagined by American politicians. Whether the project will materialize remains uncertain, not only because of the high upfront payment required, but also due to the technical challenges and environmental implications. Further information is available at www.gru.space/reserve (Image: Lunar Cave Base, based on an illustration by GRU Space, generated with GPT Image).
BY OLIVER BENDEL
