The Caribbean watches with interest as one SpaceX rocket lands in The Bahamas and another explodes

[Judi Lynn]

Regional social media users might well be waiting for the other booster to drop

Written by
Flora Thomas
Posted 11 March 2025 21:11 GMT

On February 18, the Elon Musk-founded private aerospace entity SpaceX conducted the first-ever international landing of one of its rockets. From its launch point in Cape Canaveral, Florida, the Falcon 9 rocket received permission to land in The Bahamas, on an autonomous drone ship located just off the Exuma archipelago.

While officials were attempting to separate “myth” from “fact,” advising residents that they should expect to hear a few sonic booms, asking people to comment on the event, and even hosting a watch party on the Tourism Today Bahamas Facebook page, many Bahamians appeared to have reservations about the 20-landing deal the country has struck with SpaceX.

Despite Prime Minister Philip Davis’ statement that the successful landing “reaffirmed that The Bahamas is not only a destination of beauty, but also of innovation and limitless possibilities in the future of exploration and discovery,” social media users expressed concerns about the impact on the country's environment and marine life, as well as the transparency of the deal.

SpaceX has reportedly committed a US million-dollar donation to the University of The Bahamas, which is supposed to be earmarked for STEM education, possibly contributing to Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism Minister Chester Cooper's vision of the country as a space tourism destination: “Innovation is here. The future is here in The Bahamas.”

The government has also been promoting the fact that Aisha Bowe, a Bahamian aerospace engineer, was the “official consultant for the country’s collaboration with SpaceX,” and suggesting that her role paves the way for The Bahamas to capitalise on this new sector.

Via WhatsApp, two Bahamians expressed their views to a member of the Global Voices Caribbean team under the condition of anonymity. The first alleged that “environmental conservation groups were not consulted” on the decision and that they perceived it as “a major risk to wildlife and human welfare in the area.” The second was of the opinion that the public “had no say.”

More:
https://globalvoices.org/2025/03/11/the-caribbean-watches-with-interest-as-one-spacex-rocket-lands-in-the-bahamas-and-another-explodes/