Moon hotel reservations open: Stay priced at Rs 9 crore, full lunar trip likely to exceed Rs 90 crore

The company’s project timeline indicates that construction activities would begin in 2029. (Image: AI-generated)

A US-based space startup has begun accepting advance reservations for what it describes as a future hotel on the Moon, positioning the project as an early step towards permanent human presence beyond Earth.

Galactic Resource Utilization Space, known as GRU Space, says it intends to establish a habitable structure on the lunar surface by 2032, subject to regulatory clearances. The company has listed estimated accommodation costs ranging from Rs 2.2 crore ($250,000) to Rs 9 crore ($1 million) per guest on its website, although it notes that the final cost of a complete lunar trip could eventually exceed Rs 90 crore ($10 million).

GRU Space opened reservations on January 12, inviting wealthy individuals and adventure-oriented travellers to apply for what it calls the first permanent human living facility beyond Earth. On its booking page, the company stated: “This is not space tourism as we know it. Only twelve humans have ever walked on the Moon, and by taking part in this early stage, you join us as we lay the foundations for life beyond Earth.”

According to the company, applicants are required to submit a $1,000 non-refundable application fee and place a deposit of up to $1 million to secure a position well in advance. GRU Space also said applicants would undergo extensive screening before being considered.

“We may require you to provide additional personal, medical and financial information and documents to verify your ability to travel and maintain your spot. We’ll guide you through the process. There is a $1,000 non-refundable app fee to apply,” the company said.

GRU Space was founded in 2025 by Skyler Chan, a 22-year-old Canadian-American entrepreneur who previously interned at Tesla. Chan has positioned the venture as part of a broader effort to make off-Earth habitation feasible, reflecting growing interest among technology entrepreneurs in space-based infrastructure.

“We need to really shoot for the literal moon,” Chan was quoted as saying by The Observer, adding that lunar travel represents the most practical “first wedge to spin up the lunar economy”.

The company’s project timeline indicates that construction activities would begin in 2029. The planned structure would be built on Earth before being transported to the Moon using a heavy lander. GRU Space has described the hotel as an inflatable habitat designed to host up to four guests at a time for multi-day stays, with an operational lifespan of approximately 10 years.

As part of its preparation, the startup also plans to test techniques for converting lunar dust into construction material. These bricks would be used to protect the habitat from radiation and extreme temperature variations on the Moon’s surface.