Welcome To The Bahamas; SpaceX Lands Falcon 9 For First Time In Another Country

February 18, 2025 – Cape Canaveral, FL & Exuma Islands, The Bahamas

SpaceX has once again pushed the boundaries of aerospace achievement by successfully landing a Falcon 9 booster in another country for the first time in human history.

As part of its latest Starlink mission, the Falcon 9 first stage touched down on a droneship stationed near the Exuma Islands in The Bahamas. This milestone landing marks a new era in booster recovery and expands SpaceX’s operational flexibility for future launches.

A Landmark Achievement for SpaceX and The Bahamas

The Falcon 9 launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 6:21 p.m. Eastern, carrying 23 Starlink satellites.

Approximately eight minutes after liftoff, the first stage successfully executed a precise landing on a droneship positioned in Bahamian waters. This achievement marks the first time SpaceX has recovered a booster outside U.S. jurisdiction, unlocking new mission trajectories and enhancing landing options for future Falcon 9 launches.

SpaceX highlighted that this new landing zone could support upcoming polar orbit missions, such as the Fram2 private astronaut mission, while also providing alternative options during winter months when North Atlantic weather conditions pose challenges.

“This is significant for The Bahamas in so many ways...It gives us a foothold in the aerospace industry and opens doors for educational outreach and tourism opportunities.” - Isaac Chester Cooper, Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister

Both SpaceX and the Bahamian government have reassured the public that due diligence had been conducted to ensure the safety and environmental integrity of the landing, addressing concerns from local communities.

The mission marked SpaceX’s 21st Falcon 9 launch of 2025 as the company aims to achieve a record-setting 180 launches this year.