First-ever luxury hotel in space announced

TOURISTS will soon be able to boldly go where no holidaymakers have gone before thanks to the launch of the first-ever luxury hotel in space.

Announced during the Space 2.0 summit in San Jose, California, on Thursday, the ambitious Aurora Station project plans to allow six people — including two crew members — the opportunity to enjoy first-class accommodation above Earth as part of a 12-day odyssey among the stars.

The once-in-a-lifetime experience will allow guests to experience the exhilaration of zero gravity and gaze upon stunning views of the planet below without the fear of getting lost in space, with the added perk of being able to witness an average of 16 sunrises and sunsets a day.

Also on the agenda is the chance to take part in research experiments such as growing food in orbit and try out stateof-the-art virtual reality technology on the holodeck, while high-speed internet will let people put together some truly incredible Snapchat stories.

Frank Bunger, chief executive officer and founder of developer Orion Span, said the hotel would open in 2021 and host its first guests the following year.

“We developed Aurora Station to provide a turnkey destination in space,” he said.

“Upon launch, Aurora Station goes into service immediately, bringing travellers into space quicker and at a lower price point than ever seen before, while still providing an unforgettable experience.”

Mr Bunger said his goal was to make space “accessible to all”, although a trip to Aurora Station will still require a threemonth training regime — including a stint at a company facility in Houston, Texas — and each person will be billed a whopping $9.5m (£6.7m). — Daily Mail

a young Sexwale would often see this beautiful woman driving her maroon Beetle. But they dared not stare when her car approached because that would make her suspect they were spies.

He went to Orlando West High School, not far from the Mandela’s Vilakazi Street home.

Aged 17 and a few months before he matriculated, Sexwale became part of the furniture at her house. He often ran errands for the banned and house-bound Madikizela-Mandela, and soon earned enough trust to be sent on secret political missions.

“A lot of things happened at that house, from recruitments to Umkhonto weSizwe to scholarships to study abroad. All that virtually happened under the noses of the boers. I saw the tears of happiness when she would say she is going to Robben Island. I also saw the other tears — hot ones — when she came back.

“Then she would go to the bedroom and slouch on the bed without shoes and start crying. She has left her husband in jail. What life is it? She can’t even leave the house, imprisoned in her own home. Winnie went through things, but her courage knew no bounds.”

Sexwale says Madikizela-Mandela’s life was far too complicated for one to judge her.

“She was not standing there like a good old Maria. This woman symbolised the strength of our people when there was no one in South Africa.” — Sapa