The Bahamian government has put Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket landings on pause until a full environmental impact study is done to determine whether they have any negative effects on the archipelago.

Announcing the suspension this week, Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper said there is a need to know what an environmental baseline study will yield before rockets returning to Earth from space can ditch and dock on Bahamian islands.

The Bahamas had made an arrangement with Musk and his team to allow booster rockets to return to Earth safely in exchange for an agreed-upon fee, but the opposition Free National Movement (FNM) has been lambasting authorities for proverbially putting the cart before the horse by not initially conducting a study to determine if the reentry process can harm Bahamians and others on the island.

FNM Deputy Leader Shanedon Cartwright attacked the administration of Prime Minister Phillip Davis, suggesting that ‘the Bahamian people deserve answers. The PLP launched this project with zero transparency, ignored the science, snubbed local experts, and gambled with our precious marine environment – all for what? A $1 million donation and a photoshoot?” the FNM said in a statement.

Lashing back at the FNM, DPM Cooper noted that Falcon 9 rocket landings have a 99 % safety record of about 458 launches. “We have been clear that the pause of Falcon 9 landings is only until a satisfactory post-launch report is received and an assessment has been approved – which is projected to be completed this summer. Curiously, this is what the FNM has been calling for.”

Cartwright mused that “this suspension is not a precaution” as the two parties and deputies traded political shots. No, it’s an admission. The PLP didn’t do its homework. They were dazzled by the bright lights of a global tech brand and sold out Bahamian interests without proper oversight or consultation. Now the rockets are grounded, and so is their credibility.”

The row in parliament and in Nassau, the capital, comes just six weeks after a SpaceX rocket launched from Texas exploded over the Bahamas during a test flight. Falling debris was found in several Bahamian areas, including Cat Island, Abaco, and Eleuthera. Officials say it is not clear if the debris was harmful to locals. Four hundred pounds of rocket parts were found alone on Ragged Island, officials said.

The bitter row between the two main parties has seen some harsh words exchanged from the opposition side in particular. Our nation must never again be used as a testing ground for reckless deals made in darkness. The FNM believes in innovation, but innovation with integrity, not incompetence. If this was supposed to be a symbol of progress, it has become a symbol of the PLP’s failure to govern with integrity, foresight, and respect for the Bahamian people,” Cartwright said.