SpaceX has received approval from The Bahamian Civil Aviation Authority (CAA-B) to resume landing its Falcon 9 rocket boosters in the nation’s waters, ending a year-long suspension triggered by debris fallout from a Starship test flight. The decision, announced Tuesday, follows a comprehensive review of aerospace safety and environmental protocols.
Partnership Origins and Benefits
The collaboration between SpaceX and The Bahamas began in early 2025, allowing Falcon 9 rockets launched from Florida’s Space Coast to achieve more diverse orbital trajectories. Unlike the typical easterly paths for most Florida launches – where boosters land in the Atlantic Ocean – the Bahamian landing zone opens up new possibilities for satellite deployment and mission flexibility.
Incident and Suspension
SpaceX successfully made its first Bahamian landing on February 18, 2025, with a Falcon 9 booster touching down in the Exuma Sound during a Starlink satellite launch. However, after an incident on March 6, where debris rained down on parts of the islands during a Starship test, Bahamian officials paused the partnership on April 15, pending an environmental assessment.
Review Completion and Resumption
The assessment has now been completed, with results favoring SpaceX’s continued operation in the region. The company plans to resume landings very soon, with the next scheduled touchdown set for Thursday, February 19, during the Starlink Group 10-36 mission. This launch, scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, will send 29 broadband satellites into low Earth orbit.
This resumption signals a return to operational efficiency for SpaceX while assuring The Bahamas that necessary safety and environmental safeguards are in place. The continued collaboration could benefit both parties by enabling more flexible launch profiles and reinforcing the nation’s role in the commercial space sector.
