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.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence says its forces killed 28 fighters and captured 32 others in Nuristan after armed groups, including alleged...
EU defence ministers have stepped up talks on military readiness and long-term support for Ukraine, as pressure mounts on Europe to close critical ...
China and the U.S. have unveiled a broader package of economic cooperation after President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Washington, covering t...
Iran has called for a diplomatic solution after U.S. President Donald Trump rejected its Hormuz proposal, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was awaiting a definitive U.S. response through mediators.
A Russian guided aerial bomb has struck an apartment building in Kharkiv, injuring 22 people, including children, according to the city’s mayor. The strike follows a day of near-continuous Russian attacks across Ukraine that killed at least five people.
British police have arrested five men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act after a major security incident was declared near RAF Fairford, a British air base used by U.S. air forces in Gloucestershire, England.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has arrived in Washington for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on bilateral ties and key regional and international developments, Saudi state news agency SPA reported.
Six people have died after a two-storey residential building in a tourist area of central Athens collapsed, the Greek fire brigade said on Saturday (26 September), following an explosion that the mayor said was likely linked to gas infrastructure.
EU defence ministers have stepped up talks on military readiness and long-term support for Ukraine, as pressure mounts on Europe to close critical defence gaps and strengthen its ability to respond to security threats.
China and the U.S. have unveiled a broader package of economic cooperation after President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Washington, covering tariffs, agriculture, coal, finance, aviation and artificial intelligence.
The European Union is considering targeted accession roadmaps for Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro and Albania, offering clearer reform priorities and timelines as Brussels looks to speed up enlargement.
A decade ago, a far-right party winning a major Western European election would have caused a political shock. Today, such results are increasingly becoming part of Europe’s political landscape.
A Russian guided aerial bomb has struck an apartment building in Kharkiv, injuring 22 people, including children, according to the city’s mayor. The strike follows a day of near-continuous Russian attacks across Ukraine that killed at least five people.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment