SpaceX has successfully landed a Falcon 9 booster off the coast of the Bahamas for the first time. This milestone, achieved during a Starlink satellite launch from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, represents a major step in optimizing SpaceX’s launch trajectories and expanding its global operational reach.
On February 18, 2025, at 6:21 p.m. ET, a Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40, carrying 23 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit. Just over eight minutes later, the first stage of the rocket made a precise landing on the autonomous droneship Just Read the Instructions, however unlike all previous landings, this time the droneship was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean near the Bahamas.
This marked the first time a Falcon 9 booster has landed in waters outside the United States, highlighting the increasing flexibility of SpaceX’s recovery operations.
Falcon 9 lands off the coast of The Bahamas for the first time! Welcome to space @VisitTheBahamas! pic.twitter.com/eidTYL5PYv
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 18, 2025
The decision to land a booster off the Bahamian coast is strategic. SpaceX’s southeast launch trajectory allows for more efficient satellite deployments and opens new pathways for crewed missions, including those targeting polar orbits. Traditionally, the company has stationed its recovery droneships farther offshore in the Atlantic, but the Bahamas’ geographical position offers an optimal alternative, reducing the distance boosters must travel back to port and potentially lowering turnaround times for reuse.
Additionally, the Bahamas’ relatively mild winter weather provides more consistent recovery conditions, compared to the often turbulent waters farther north. This advantage is crucial for ensuring the reliability of booster landings and maintaining the company’s record-breaking launch cadence.
The Bahamas’ government has embraced the partnership with SpaceX, recognizing the opportunity to be part of a groundbreaking moment in aerospace history. Deputy Prime Minister Isaac Chester Cooper praised the achievement, calling it “a defining moment for our nation.”
“This landing in the Exuma Sound positions the Bahamas at the forefront of innovation and aerospace advancements,” Cooper stated during a SpaceX broadcast. “It demonstrates that even a small country can play a role in humanity’s progress beyond Earth.”
SpaceX’s collaboration with the Bahamas could lead to further developments, including expanded drone recovery operations in the region and potential investments in local infrastructure to support the space industry.
This mission was the 16th flight for the booster, highlighting SpaceX’s ongoing success in reusability. Last week the company set a new record when a Falcon 9 booster completed its 26th successful flight and landing. Now with over 400 successful booster landings to date, the company continues to refine its recovery techniques, paving the way for lower launch costs and increased access to space.
