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.
Meta Appoints Former Trump Adviser Dina Powell McCormick as President and Vice Chairman
US technology giant Meta has announced a major leadership appointment, naming Dina Powell McCormick as its new President and Vice Chairman, marking a significant expansion of her role within the company. In an official statement released on Monday, Meta said Powell McCormick will join its senior management team after previously serving on the company’s board of directors. The move comes as Meta intensifies its long-term focus on advanced artificial intelligence, large-scale computing infrastructure, and what it describes as the pursuit of “personal superintelligence.” Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Powell McCormick’s global experience and policy background make her a strong fit for the company’s next phase. “Dina’s leadership experience, combined with her deep relationships across governments, finance, and international institutions, positions her uniquely to help guide Meta’s strategy as we scale our most ambitious technologies,” Zuckerberg said. In her new role, Powell McCormick will help shape Meta’s overall strategic direction and oversee execution at the highest level. She will also work closely with teams responsible for compute capacity and infrastructure — areas that have become central to Meta’s AI ambitions. The company added that she will lead efforts to secure new strategic capital partnerships and explore innovative funding models aimed at expanding Meta’s long-term investment capabilities. The appointment drew a public reaction from US President Donald Trump, who congratulated Powell McCormick in a post on his social media platform Truth Social. Calling the decision “a great choice,” Trump praised her past service, saying she had represented his administration “with strength and distinction.” Powell McCormick previously served as deputy national security adviser during Trump’s first term. Earlier in her career, she held senior roles in the George W. Bush administration, including assistant secretary of state and senior White House adviser, building a long résumé spanning diplomacy, national security, and global finance. She stepped down from Meta’s board in December 2025, a move that fueled speculation about a broader operational role — speculation now confirmed with her elevation to one of the company’s top leadership positions. Her appointment underscores Meta’s growing emphasis on blending political, financial, and technological expertise as it positions itself at the forefront of the next wave of artificial intelligence development.
