This Startup Plans to Open a "Hotel" on the Moon, Interested Parties Must Deposit Rp 17 Billion
KOMPAS.com – The US-based space startup GRU Space plans to build an advanced complex on the Moon, touted as a “hotel” for space tourists.
The project draws inspiration from the iconic architecture of the Palace of the Fine Arts in San Francisco, US, featuring a futuristic living concept on the lunar surface.
As an initial step, GRU Space has opened bookings for prospective visitors. Those interested are required to pay a deposit starting from $250,000 (approximately Rp 4.2 billion) up to $1 million (approximately Rp 17 billion) to secure a seat on a space tourism trip to the Moon in the coming years.
GRU Space founder Skyler Chan targets developing the project in stages through several missions.
Next, in 2032, the company will test larger structures at natural sites such as lunar pits.
In the same phase, GRU Space aims to launch the first hotel capable of accommodating up to four people at once, before ultimately building permanent facilities using bricks on the Moon.
Though ambitious, the plan faces several major challenges. As of December 2025, GRU Space is known to have only one employee, namely Chan himself, who is also a recent graduate of the University of California, Berkeley.
Nevertheless, Chan remains optimistic that life beyond Earth is not just a dream. He believes space exploration will be a giant leap for humanity, and he is working to develop the necessary systems and technologies to make it a reality.
Chan’s experience in technology also serves as initial capital. While still a student, he interned at Tesla and was involved in developing autonomous vehicle software as well as a NASA-supported 3D printer project.
Not stopping at hotel construction, GRU Space is also preparing broader long-term plans.
The company aims to develop the “Moon Base Company of America” by building infrastructure such as roads, mass drivers, and warehouses.
In the long term, GRU Space targets reinvesting its profits to develop resource utilisation systems on the Moon, Mars, asteroids, and beyond, in line with its ultimate vision known as Galactic Resource Utilization.
Some support has also been claimed to be flowing to the startup. GRU Space is reportedly backed by investors who also invest in SpaceX and Anduril, and is part of Nvidia’s Inception programme, a startup acceleration initiative from Nvidia, as compiled by KompasTekno from the Y Combinator website.