A high-stakes agreement between SpaceX and the Bahamas to allow Falcon 9 rocket boosters to land in Bahamian waters has been put on hold following political tensions and environmental concerns.
The suspension came two months after the first and only booster landed off the Exuma coast — and just weeks after a Starship rocket exploded mid-flight, scattering debris on Bahamian islands.
“While no toxic materials were detected and no significant environmental impact was reported, the incident prompted a reevaluation of our engagement with SpaceX,” said Chequita Johnson, Acting Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas.
The original agreement, signed in February 2024 by Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, was reportedly pushed through without consulting several key government ministers, according to two people familiar with the matter.
Though no laws were broken, the move caused internal frustration.
SpaceX did not respond to requests for comment. Cooper also declined to answer questions about how the deal was arranged.
In exchange for access to its territorial waters, the Bahamas received various incentives.
According to three sources, SpaceX offered complimentary Starlink internet terminals for the country’s defence vessels. The Bahamian military, which operates roughly a dozen vessels, did not comment on the arrangement, and the value of the deal was not disclosed.
Additionally, SpaceX pledged a $1 million donation to the University of the Bahamas and promised to host quarterly seminars on space and engineering.
The company also agreed to pay $100,000 per booster landing under newly enacted Bahamian space regulations.
The Starship explosion on 6 March during a test flight intensified public unease.
The rocket self-destructed nine and a half minutes after launching from Texas, and debris washed ashore on several Bahamian islands.
“I have no strong dislike for the exploration of space, but I do have concerns about the sovereignty of my nation’s airspace,” said Arana Pyfrom, Assistant Director at the Bahamas’ Department of Environmental Planning and Protection.
“The Starship explosion just strengthened opposition to make sure we could answer all these questions.”
Matthew Bastian, a retired Canadian engineer vacationing near Ragged Island, witnessed the Starship explosion from his sailboat.
“My initial reaction was ‘wow that is so cool,’ then reality hit me – I could have a huge chunk of rocket debris crash down on me and sink my boat!” he said.
“Fortunately, that didn’t happen, but one day it could happen to someone.”
Within days of the explosion, SpaceX deployed helicopters, speedboats, and sonar equipment to recover debris.
Locals said the wreckage was hauled from the sea and loaded onto a larger SpaceX vessel typically used to retrieve rocket fairings.
The company’s vice president of launch, Kiko Dontchev, reassured local reporters that Starship was entirely different from Falcon 9 boosters scheduled to land off the Exuma coast.
Joe Darville, chairman of environmental group Save The Bays, criticised both the fallout from the Starship explosion and the secretive nature of the Falcon 9 agreement.
“Something like that should have never been made without consultation of the people in the Bahamas,” he said.
Bahamian officials are currently reviewing SpaceX’s environmental report and considering updates to the country’s space reentry regulations.
Two officials said Falcon 9 landings may resume later this summer if the revised processes are approved.
Pyfrom said the review aims to show “where we fell short, and what we need to improve on.”
Despite the diplomatic setback, SpaceX is pushing forward. Musk said earlier this month that the next Starship launch is expected within three weeks.
Russia is likely preparing to station its new nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missiles at a former airbase in eastern Belarus, a move th...
Kyiv is under a large-scale Russian aerial attack, Ukrainian officials say, as air defence systems are activated across the capital....
Israel on Friday became the first country to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent state, a move that has been condemned by Somalia, the Ara...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that Russia is using territory in neighbouring Belarus to support attacks on Ukrainian targets ...
U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday said he ordered a military strike targeting Islamic State (ISIS/Daesh) militants in Nigeria to be delayed by one...
Russia is likely preparing to station its new nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missiles at a former airbase in eastern Belarus, a move that could extend Moscow’s strike reach across Europe, according to an exclusive Reuters report.
Kyiv is under a large-scale Russian aerial attack, Ukrainian officials say, as air defence systems are activated across the capital.
Israel on Friday became the first country to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent state, a move that has been condemned by Somalia, the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and the African Union (AU).
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that Russia is using territory in neighbouring Belarus to support attacks on Ukrainian targets and to circumvent Kyiv’s defensive positions, warning that the practice undermines Belarusian sovereignty.
In 2025, Ukraine lived two parallel realities: one of diplomacy filled with staged optimism, and another shaped by a war that showed no sign of letting up.
It’s been a year since an Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, killing 38 people. Relatives and loved ones mourn the victims, as authorities near the final stage of their investigation.
Polish fighter jets on Thursday intercepted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft flying near Poland’s airspace over the Baltic Sea and escorted it away from their area of responsibility.
The United States carried out a strike against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of Nigeria's government, President Donald Trump and the U.S. military said on Thursday.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he will meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday to discuss territory and security guarantees, as diplomatic efforts intensify to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Russia plans to modernise its nuclear triad, strengthen ground forces, and develop a universal air defence system as part of its new State Armament Programme for 2027–2036, the Kremlin announced on Friday.
At least 12 people have been confirmed dead and more than 160 are feared dead after a migrant vessel en route to Spain’s Canary Islands capsized off the coast of Senegal earlier this week.
Three women were injured on Friday after being stabbed by a man on Line 3 of the Paris metro, local authorities reported.
Four members of Syria’s General Directorate of Ports were injured on Friday when their vehicle came under fire east of Aleppo, local authorities reported.
Russia is likely preparing to station its new nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missiles at a former airbase in eastern Belarus, a move that could extend Moscow’s strike reach across Europe, according to an exclusive Reuters report.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment