The Bahamas has begun an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) following the first successful Falcon 9 droneship landing in Bahamian waters on February 18, 2025, as part of a new agreement with SpaceX.
The government is working closely with SpaceX and the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) to ensure that future landings do not harm the environment. Dr. Rhianna Neely-Murphy, Director of DEPP, explained that the purpose of the report is to confirm that environmental conditions before the launch remain unchanged afterward.
The EIA is expected to be completed and submitted by this summer. Once finished, the government plans to hold a series of public town hall meetings to update and engage Bahamians about the environmental considerations of the landings.
The Falcon 9 booster droneship landings are part of SpaceX’s efforts to reduce spaceflight costs and its environmental impact.
The Bahamian government sees the Falcon 9 landing agreement as an opportunity to diversify the national economy, promote technological progress, and position The Bahamas as a forward-thinking, globally connected destination.