Gene Meyers, president of Space Island Group, a company promoting space tourism, outlined a plan to prevent the Space Shuttle's huge external tanks from burning up upon re-entry and instead utilize them as building blocks for space stations. Twelve external tanks could be joined in a ring, he said, with spokes connecting to a central axis. The ring would rotate to provide artificial gravity (about 1/2 G), making life more comfortable for inhabitants and enabling amenities such as showers and toilets.
The first "Space Island" would cost around $10 billion, with subsequent ones costing less. The complex could accommodate up to 300 tourists, he noted, offering luxurious accommodations, entertainment, and unique experiences such as viewing Earth from orbit. Cabins would be approximately 200 sq. ft., with options for both zero-G and partial-G environments, as well as potential for significant biological benefits, such as a more youthful appearance from increased blood flow to the face and chest, and faster healing. Meyers noted that beyond tourism, these stations could be used for space manufacturing, satellite repair, and as laboratories for scientific research, including studies of gravity's effects.
The guest projected that, with additional fuel, entire stations could be propelled into orbit around the Moon or even Mars. The project's success would rely heavily on public interest to attract corporate sponsorship, with cruise lines like Carnival, Princess, and Royal Caribbean expressing interest. Meyers projected that space tourists would pay "roughly $2-3000 per day" for a stay.