The Falcon 9 as it launches from Port Canaveral.
NASSAU, The Bahamas--History was made in The Bahamas at approximately 6:29pm Eastern Time on Tuesday, February 18, as SpaceX’s Falcon 9 booster successfully landed on an autonomous drone ship off the coast of The Exumas, according to a press release from the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation (BMOTIA).
In a breathtaking display of innovation, the islands in the sun became the first international destination to welcome a SpaceX rocket landing. Bahamians, residents and space enthusiasts worldwide watched in awe as the milestone event unfolded in real time – just the beginning of a groundbreaking collaboration between The Bahamas and SpaceX, with 19 more landings set to follow.
BMOTIA hosted a delegation of Bahamian officials and special guests, led by Prime Minister Phillip E. Davis and Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, I. Chester Cooper at Cape Eleuthera Resort and Marina to witness the event. The successful landing highlights the immense potential of the growing space industry and its accessibility to a broader audience, the release states.
Prime Minister Davis reflected on the momentous achievement, emphasising the pride and ambition of the Bahamian people: “This historic feat positions our nation as a global hub for space tourism and technological advancement. As we pushed new frontiers, we welcomed the world to witness innovation against the backdrop of one of the most breathtaking locations on Earth. Yesterday’s [Tuesday’s – Ed.] rocket 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.”
DPM Cooper added, “Today [Tuesday, February 18,] is a launchpad for Bahamian tourism, bringing the world to our shores – a launchpad for jobs, fuelling our economy, a launchpad for education, inspiring young Bahamians to reach for the stars. Space tourism is here. Innovation is here. The future is here in The Bahamas.”
The event also featured esteemed guests, Cabinet ministers, parliamentarians, local members of the BMOTIA Eleuthera office and residents. Bahamian-American Aisha Bowe, a former US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) scientist and STEMBoard Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who played a pivotal role in establishing space protocols in The Bahamas, was also present for the landing, the release states. Her collaboration with SpaceX underscores the importance of international partnerships in advancing space travel innovation and opportunities in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. The Bahamas and SpaceX are working together to enhance local STEM-related education to help inspire the next generation of students. In efforts to support this, SpaceX will also give a US $1 million donation to the University of The Bahamas for STEM education.
US Embassy Chargé d’Affairs Kimberly Furnish said: “As the United States deepens its engagement in the Western Hemisphere, I am excited to celebrate another incredible achievement for our two countries – the first ever international landing of SpaceX Falcon 9 right here in The Bahamas. This is not just a landing, it is a launchpad for even greater collaboration between our two nations in science, technology and innovation. I have no doubt that this is the beginning of even greater things to come.”
The successful landing is expected to usher in a new era of space tourism, positioning The Bahamas as a premier destination for space enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. The historic event not only showcases the technological prowess of SpaceX but also the unique appeal of The Bahamas as a destination for groundbreaking experiences, according to the release.
For more information on the event and to access the live simulcast, visit or follow The Bahamas on
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