SpaceX to Attempt First Booster Landing in The Bahamas Today

Exuma, Bahamas — SpaceX is set to attempt a historic rocket booster landing today in Bahamian waters, marking a notable milestone in its Starlink 10-12 mission. The Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 6:21 p.m. EST (2321 UTC). This launch represents the company’s 21st orbital attempt in 2025.

The landing attempt will take place on the autonomous droneship, ‘Just Read the Instructions,’ stationed off the coast of Exuma, Bahamas. According to the 45th Weather Squadron based at Patrick Space Force Base, conditions are optimal for the primary launch window, with a 95 percent chance of favorable weather.

“Cool and dry conditions have overspread most of Florida today following a cold front,” said launch weather officers. “No significant threat for Atlantic showers on Tuesday evening is anticipated.”

SpaceX will use its Falcon 9 first stage booster, tail number B1080, for the launch, which will be its 16th flight. The booster has a history of successful missions, including four trips to the International Space Station and several Starlink flights.

If the launch goes as planned, the booster will separate from the second stage about eight minutes after liftoff and descend towards the droneship. Should the landing succeed, it will be the 110th landing on the droneship and the 410th overall for SpaceX boosters.

Delegates from The Bahamas visited SpaceX’s facilities in Florida ahead of the launch, bringing with them a Bahamian flag that the Falcon 9 flew to space in March 2024. The upcoming event not only showcases SpaceX’s capabilities but also emphasizes international collaboration in the space sector.

In addition to the upcoming Falcon 9 launch, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft may soon transport astronauts to the International Space Station, pending results from recent safety demonstrations. NASA officials indicated the spacecraft might be ready as soon as early March.

The Falcon 9 launch will deliver 23 Starlink v2 Mini satellites into low-Earth orbit, extending the range of high-speed internet access aimed at underserved regions globally. As SpaceX continues to expand its satellite constellation, the company remains focused on innovative solutions for modern connectivity challenges.

This launch is also part of a busy week for SpaceX, which includes multiple missions with varying payloads scheduled for liftoff.