We have lift off! It’s a “giant leap” for The Bahamas, which is joining the exclusive club of destinations appealing to fans of humankind’s Last Frontier. The country has entered into an agreement with Elon Musk’s space tourism company SpaceX to become a global destination to witness booster landings.
SpaceX – short for the Space Exploration Technologies Corp. – is planning mission designs that will see SpaceX droneships serving a Falcon 9 landing location east of The Exumas. The spectacle will only be visible from The Bahamas – and that makes it the only space tourism destination of its kind in the world.
Tourism officials anticipate that awe-inspiring sight will be able to be viewed from Bahamian resorts, tourist hotspots and even cruise ships in local waters. The Bahamas, just off the coast of Florida, is a hop, skip and a jump away from mainland U.S.A., easily accessible for North Americans. For super space fans, it could be part of a space travel odyssey that includes Florida's Cape Canaveral, too.
It’s a whole new type of experience for visitors to The Bahamas’ 700 islands and cays. Right now, travelers visiting The Bahamas focus on world-class fishing, diving, boating, beach activities and cruise ports of call on cruise line private islands or The Bahamas’ own 16 unique island destinations.
The agreement “marks a new era for The Bahamas,” said Hon. I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. “We are honored to work with SpaceX to enable their Falcon 9 rockets to safely land on an autonomous droneship within Bahamian waters, helping to continue their rocket reusability efforts.”
If you’re visiting The Bahamas even when no landing is scheduled, there will still be space experiences for young and young at heart space lovers.
SpaceX has committed to supporting the creation of a space exhibit showcasing hardware space fans will recognize, as well as a SpaceX spacesuit. It will be the only such exhibit outside the United States, and is expected to become a major attraction.
Enhanced High-Speed Connectivity
The Bahamian landings will not only provide a new space tourism experience. They will also support SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet mission, but also contribute to saving lives, enhancing first responders' capabilities, and ensuring connectivity in times of disasters, as Cooper explains.
“Simultaneously, through Starlink’s high speed internet from space, this agreement opens doors to unprecedented opportunities for our citizens, fostering long-term advantages for education, emergency response and innovation,” he said.
“The Bahamian government aims to utilize this partnership for economic growth, job creation and enhanced educational opportunities.”
The initiative also means The Bahamas is about to become one of the best-connected regional destinations. As part of the agreement, The Bahamas has arranged for Starlink internet connectivity at multiple locations across the Family Islands. While specifically designated for schools lacking sufficient internet capacity, it will also bolster the capabilities and operations of first responders in the area.
Social Good: STEM Education and the 1st Bahamian in Space
SpaceX's commitment to educational outreach through Science, Technology Engineering and Math and space-focused presentations several times a year will leave a lasting impact on the growth of STEM education in The Bahamas,.
Former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, was pivotal in helping cement the agreement for The Bahamas. In 2024, she is set to become an astronaut: the first Bahamian in space.
Cooper noted how the initative benefits The Bahamas in so many more ways than providing more opportunities for tourism.
“The Bahamas is poised to embrace its newfound role in the global space industry, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's history,” added Cooper. “We look forward to a future where The Bahamas stands proudly as a trailblazer in space tourism and technology in line with our Blueprint for change and our Innovate242 initiative,” he said.
START YOUR SPACE TOURISM TRIP!
Image courtesy The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation
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