The Red Sea Astrarium

The Red Sea Astrarium (TRSA) is an integrated resort destination on the shores of the Red Sea. It is considered the first themed entertainment attraction at the coastal city of Aqaba, Jordan, and the first to use green energy to minimize adverse environmental impacts.

The key attractions include dining, retail, nightlife, rides, shows, museum exhibits, theme parks, water parks, interactive walk-throughs, and a ‘Star Trek Experience’^[1][2] based upon the new Star Trek franchise.

The resort was designed^[3][4] by Rubicon Group Holding (RGH).^[5] The resort is under implementation and projected to open in 2017.^[6]

TRSA Overview^[7][8]

The $1.5 billion (USD) resort was designed by Rubicon Group Holding (RGH).^[9][10][11] TRSA is the first family-friendly themed tourist hub in Aqaba. Following are other key facts about the astrarium:^[12]

• Enhanced water conservation measures would result in the Astrarium using 20% less water than a similar development.
• The adoption of energy conservation measures would result in a 17% reduction in electrical demand and a 19% reduction in cooling demand compared to Business as Usual (BaU).
• The Astrarium’s waste strategy proposes a site-wide automatic waste collection system and an organic waste treatment plant. These systems together help contribute to the Astrarium diverting up to 75% of its waste from disposal at landfill.

Brought in to provide infrastructure planning and design of the development’s energy, water, wastewater, solid waste, mobility and logistical management systems; TRSA is a model for “green energy,” incorporating state-of-the-art renewable technologies where businesses, students and attendees can learn about alternative energy sources ranging from solar and wind energy to grey-water harvesting.

TRSA Layout

The Red Sea Astrarium occupies 184-acre (70 hectares) of land and, when fully open, will employ more than 4,000 people directly. The resort’s design features three major zones of entertainment: The Summit, The Old Waterfront, and The New Waterfront.

The resort is set to feature four luxury hotels, botanical gardens, a collection of entertainment, dining areas, 4D cinema, 16 attractions and retail stores.

TRSA Attractions

The Red Sea Astrarium will house attractions suitable for all ages. Some attractions use highly advanced Jordanian 3D technology. The attractions will include:

• A time-travel, flight simulator to the Wonders of the World
• A fountain and media nighttime show
• A 3-D dome show
• A themed dining show featuring stage magic and illusion
• The Star Trek Experience^[13][14]
• A 600-seat theatre intended to house major touring or in-house productions
• VIP Cinemas

King Abdullah Star Trek Connection

In 2013, a signing ceremony was held at the Jordanian-American Business Forum under the patronage of King Abdullah II of Jordan. King Abdullah had suggested Star Trek be included in The Red Sea Astrarium, being a big Star Trek fan who had an uncredited cameo (as background Starfleet crewman) on an episode of Star Trek: Voyager in 1996.^[15][16]

References