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.
Armenia heads to the polls on 7 June in a key parliamentary vote seen as a test of its democratic reforms and future political direction. Prime Minist...
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships ...
The U.S. plans to seek the redirection of Iranian assets to Gulf states to help fund reconstruction and repairs for damage attributed to Iran, a sourc...
At least a dozen people were wounded, two critically, on Saturday (6 June) in Toledo, Ohio, as two shooters traded gunfire, police said....
For about three decades after the Soviet collapse, Armenia anchored its foreign and security policy to Moscow. ...
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships Natra and Zircon in the Sea of Azov. In a statement, it said four Azerbaijani citizens were killed and four others were injured.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has warned ahead of World Environment Day that Afghanistan's worsening water crisis is disproportionately affecting women and girls, who bear much of the responsibility for securing water for their families.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al‑Zaidi will pay an official visit to the United States, bringing with him a delegation of business leaders, private‑sector representatives and banking officials, in an effort to boost investment and deepen economic ties with Washington.
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, newly independent Armenia emerged with the promise of democracy. But in the years that followed, conflicts and political assassinations sidetracked politics in the country, until a 2018 revolution restored momentum to the promise.
Armenia heads to the polls on 7 June in a key parliamentary vote seen as a test of its democratic reforms and future political direction. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is seeking re-election amid domestic polarisation, security challenges and regional diplomatic tensions.
Armenian authorities arrested six candidates from the pro-Russian Strong Armenia bloc on Saturday, one day before voters were due to take part in parliamentary elections.
More than 6,000 people gathered outside a vote-counting centre in Seoul on Friday night, demanding this week’s local elections be repeated after ballot shortages left some voters unable to cast their ballots.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships Natra and Zircon in the Sea of Azov. In a statement, it said four Azerbaijani citizens were killed and four others were injured.
The U.S. said it struck Iranian radar sites on Qeshm Island and in Goruk after intercepting four drones, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they launches retaliatory strikes on four tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and targeted U.S. bases in the Gulf.
At least a dozen people were wounded, two critically, on Saturday (6 June) in Toledo, Ohio, as two shooters traded gunfire, police said.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 7 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al‑Zaidi will pay an official visit to the United States, bringing with him a delegation of business leaders, private‑sector representatives and banking officials, in an effort to boost investment and deepen economic ties with Washington.
People across Gaza are facing a worsening humanitarian crisis, with millions struggling to access food, clean water, shelter and medical care as the conflict continues.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said Russian forces attacked two civilian search and rescue vessels operating in Ukrainian waters on Saturday, leaving several people injured.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment