How do you feel about flying in the air with a nuclear reactor?
It might not just be a hypothetical, as a huge nuclear-powered hotel is in the works.
This ‘Skytanic’ resort was advertised through a CGI concept video which showed how the plane-cruise hybrid would attempt to carry 5,000 passengers as well as staying in the air for months at a time.
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The hotel will come fitted with a swimming pool, gym, 360 views and hails itself as the ‘epitome of luxury’.
I can already feel my flight-phobia come into play.
With a small nuclear reactor powering the plane, it should be able to be powered by 20 electric engines without stopping for fuel.
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It doesn’t even have to land for maintenance and repair work, as this can be done while flying. Now that’ crazy.
Hashem Al-Ghaili, the creator of the mockup, claims the sky cruise ‘could be the future of transport’.
It’ll also be autonomous.
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So, that means there will be no one driving, but there’ll be plenty of staff on board to help you as you stroll around the cinema, bar, restaurant, child playground, theatre and shopping mall.
But if you thought the concept was crazy enough, you can even get married in its wedding hall.
That’s a first.
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Something that’s even more crazy is that if you want to leave, you can get on an external lift which takes you to a commercial plane or even a private jet (if you’ve got that kind of cash_ as they can dock with the hotel.
With an ability to anticipate and prevent turbulence thanks to its AI, this seems like something even someone like me could go on without a hitch.
It does this by deploying a solution which can even out the bumps so guests ‘glide over the vibrations with ease’.
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However, with its big dreams come big challenges.
With an aircraft this size, a gigantic runway would be needed, it’ll also mean that air traffic would need to be modified to make room for the huge plane-boat.
But there are those who aren’t on board with the idea and have compared to the real life Titanic and slated its design flaws.
The nay sayers say the plane would have issues taking off due to its size and that it wouldn’t be a smooth ride like its designers believe.
They also pointed out that due to its weight and nuclear reactor, if it crashed, it could destroy a whole city.
Then there’s the cost for a ticket, as many believe there’s no way this will be a budget experience and would probably cost an arm and a leg just to get the cheapest cabin.
But Al-Ghaili thinks it’s ‘only a matter of time’ before the aviation engineering sector will catch up to his dream.
He said to CNN: "I imagined a world where flying from one place to another turned into a joyous experience, rather than fighting for leg space.
"Disruptive concepts like this one inspire change, and help us push humanity forward."
Topics: Travel, News, Technology
Britt Jones