BY SHENIA ROBERTS
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Officials say the historic Space X Falcon Rocket Booster Landing set for February
18 th in the Exumas will be environmentally safe at a press conference this week.
Kiko Dontchev, Space-X’s vice president of launch, reiterated that safety and
reliability is the number one priority. “While we’re (SpaceX) excited to execute
this mission, we won’t fly until we’re ready. I’m hopeful that it’s on the 18th, but
if we have any concerns about a successful landing, we will stand down and reset
for the next available opportunity.”
He reassured Bahamians that Space X is well experienced, launching rockets
approximately every two days and having launched over 400 rockets to date.
The Falcon 9 rocket will launch from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape
Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida and about eight minutes after lift-off the
first stage will land on SpaceX’s independent drone ship to ensure environmental
safety and protection.
The ship will be stationed in waters off the Exuma’s and according to reports
residents of the area and visitors to The Bahamas may hear one or more sonic
booms during the landing.
Officials say a total of 20 scheduled landings are set to take place with each being
cleared by environmental officials first.
Dr Rhianna Neely-Murphy, director of the Department of Environmental Planning
and Protection, explained that even those within a ten-nautical-mile radius of the
landing site will only experience a noise similar to two gunshots and those up to 17
nautical miles away will hear a noise as loud as “two claps of thunder”.
According to Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Raymond King RBDF
marines will be stationed in the area to ensure that there is no one in the vicinity

during this time as he expressed full support of this new venture. He said that a 5-
10-nautical-mile safety perimeter will be set in place to manage and secure the
area.
Adding to the environmental safety commentary, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM)
and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Chester Cooper emphasized
that “the Royal Bahamas Defence Force the Bahamas Air Navigation Services
Authority, the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection, the Civil
Aviation Authority and Port Department—are working closely with SpaceX to
ensure secure and regulated landings.”
Cooper said, “We (the government) have taken measurable precautions to
safeguard our waters and marine ecosystems, working closely with experts to
monitor environmental impact and ensure that our natural resources remain
protected.”

He also touted the opportunities the rocket landing is expected to afford The
Bahamas
“This rocket landing will secure The Bahamas’ place in the global space industry
and redefine new possibilities for economic growth and scientific exploration and
innovation. We hope that this will inspire our young people.”
He also noted that this new industry is very lucrative highlighting the fact that it
will bring a major boost to our tourism sector and economy. “Astro tourism or
space tourism is an emerging industry that will allow us to diversify our touristic
offerings, “he said. “The industry is projected to exceed $4 billion by 2030, and
The Bahamas is securing its place in this booming sector. Space tourism allows
people to experience aspects of space exploration firsthand, whether through rocket
launches or landings, or space-related attractions. The Bahamas is now at the
centre of this movement.”
US Chargé d’affaires to The Bahamas Kimberley Furnish also chimed in to show
her support and excitement. “It’s not just a landing it’s a launch pad for an even
greater collaboration in science technology and innovation.”
Bahamian aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe who has worked at NASA and is
scheduled to be the first Bahamian astronaut in space with Amazon owner Jeff
Bezos’ Blue Origin Enterprises is a consultant for The Bahamas to the project.

This will be the first rocket landing of its kind at an international destination. The
historic event will be broadcasted worldwide via www.spacex.com/launches and
the Tourism Today Facebook page.
The landing is set to take place off the coast of the Exuma’s at approximately 6:08
p.m. and officials say it will mark a major improvement in space exploration which
will establish The Bahamas ‘position in the rapidly growing space tourism
industry.