Wealthy adventure seekers are being offered the chance to book a vacation on the moon, after a California-based start-up announced plans to develop a luxury hotel on Earth’s only natural satellite.
The company, Galactic Resource Utilization Space (GRU), has opened reservations for what it describes as the first permanent human-made structure beyond Earth, targeting affluent space tourists willing to place a $1 million deposit to secure early access.
Founded by University of California, Berkeley graduate Skyler Chan, GRU launched its booking platform on Monday, outlining plans for a lunar hotel designed to host visitors seeking a once-in-a-lifetime experience beyond Earth.
How the Lunar Hotel Will Be Built
According to the company, the project will rely on a proprietary habitation module system combined with automated processes that convert lunar soil into durable construction material. GRU says this approach would allow structures to be built directly on the moon, reducing reliance on Earth-launched materials.
Construction is expected to begin later in the decade, subject to regulatory approvals and coordination with space agencies and launch providers.
The company has also released a detailed white paper describing a phased strategy for establishing a sustained human presence on the moon—starting with a high-end tourism facility and expanding into a broader settlement over time.
Who the First Guests May Be
GRU expects its initial customers to include individuals who have already participated in commercial space flights, as well as wealthy couples seeking unconventional honeymoon destinations. The company believes that luxury tourism can act as a catalyst for building a viable lunar economy.
In a statement, GRU said tourism represents “the fastest path for humanity to become interplanetary,” arguing that commercial demand can accelerate infrastructure development beyond Earth.
Founder’s Vision for Humanity in Space
Skyler Chan, a 21-year-old electrical engineering and computer science graduate, developed the moon hotel concept through the start-up accelerator Y Combinator. He said the project has attracted backing from investors associated with SpaceX and Anduril, a defence technology company focused on autonomous systems.
“We live during an inflection point where we can actually become interplanetary within our lifetimes,” Chan said. “If we succeed, future generations will be born on the moon and Mars and experience life beyond Earth.”
Chan added that his fascination with space began in childhood and that the project represents a lifelong ambition. “I’ve always wanted to become an astronaut,” he said. “I feel extremely fortunate to be working on what I consider my life’s mission.”
Broader Context in US Space Policy
The proposal aligns with renewed momentum in US space policy, which includes long-term plans for a permanent human presence on the moon. The initiative forms part of a broader vision supported by NASA leadership and the White House to expand American activity beyond low-Earth orbit.
GRU hopes its lunar hotel project can contribute to these ambitions by providing early infrastructure and commercial incentives for sustained off-world habitation.
