STATEMENT FROM THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER & MINISTER OF TOURISM, INVESTMENTS & AVIATION ON BAHAMIAN ASTRONAUT AISHA BOWE’S APPOINTMENT AS CONSULTANT FOR BMOTIA

STATEMENT FROM THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER & MINISTER OF TOURISM, INVESTMENTS & AVIATION ON BAHAMIAN ASTRONAUT AISHA BOWE’S APPOINTMENT AS CONSULTANT FOR BMOTIA

I am pleased to announce that Bahamian aerospace engineer and future astronaut Aisha Bowe has been retained as the official consultant to The Bahamas on its collaboration with SpaceX, the launch of Falcon 9 on February 17 and the overarching development of our aerospace industry.

This follows the successful negotiation of a historic Letter of Agreement (LOA) between The Bahamas and SpaceX - a milestone that positions our nation as the exclusive global destination for witnessing booster landings and rocket launches. This agreement represents a bold step into the future, expanding The Bahamas’ role in the aerospace sector.

Aisha Bowe’s extensive experience—as a former NASA rocket scientist, tech entrepreneur, and the first Bahamian set to travel to space—makes her uniquely qualified to provide strategic guidance in this transformative partnership. She will also mark history as the sixth Black woman in history to cross the Kármán line – the internationally recognized boundary of space. Aisha Bowe is a tech entreprener

As a member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Aisha has earned numerous awards for her dedication to technical excellence and the principles of diversity and opportunity. She holds a B.S.E in Aerospace Engineering and an M. Eng. in Space Systems Engineering from the University of Michigan, and sits on the university’s Aerospace Department Industry Advisory Board.Her collaboration with SpaceX over the past 15 months has been instrumental in shaping the framework for space operations within Bahamian territory.

Most recently, Aisha was honored by the United Nations for her groundbreaking work in STEM and space exploration, further elevating The Bahamas’ reputation on the global stage. This recognition solidifies her position as a leader in the field and strengthens our nation's growing role in the aerospace sector.

Her technical expertise and advisory role will support The Bahamas as we seize new opportunities in innovation, education, and economic growth. This is a giant leap for our nation, and I look forward to the advancements that will come from this unprecedented collaboration.