Shocking images captured by a South Korean lunar satellite have revealed the impact site of a discarded SpaceX rocket that collided with the Moon's surface. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute's (KARI) Danuri spacecraft observed the aftermath of the crash, showing a newly formed crater.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket's second stage, weighing approximately 4,500 kilograms (9,900 pounds) and measuring 12 meters (39 feet) long, impacted the Moon at a speed of 8,690 kilometers per hour (5,400 miles per hour). Scientists estimate the force of the impact was equivalent to approximately three kilotons of TNT. IMAGE1
Danuri passed over the impact site multiple times, conducting eight imaging sessions to document changes in the lunar terrain. Initial observations indicate the crater is approximately 27 meters (89 feet) across and up to 5 meters (16 feet) deep. The area surrounding the crash site appears darker due to dust and rock ejected by the impact.
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is also expected to provide detailed images of the crater in the coming week. Meanwhile, researchers from the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía in Spain claim to have recorded footage of the impact itself, capturing a plume of dust and debris ejected into space.
The Falcon 9 booster was launched in January of the previous year, carrying two private lunar landers. While the rocket's primary booster is designed for reuse, the upper stages are typically jettisoned. This particular stage was not intended to crash into the Moon, but a combination of lunar gravity and solar weather is believed to have altered its trajectory, leading to the collision.
Scientists have expressed excitement about the event, viewing it as a rare opportunity to study a lunar impact under known conditions. Unlike natural meteorite impacts, the mass, composition, and speed of the rocket are precisely known, turning the crash into a valuable scientific experiment for understanding lunar history. This deliberate impact mirrors past events, such as the European Space Agency's 2006 SMART-1 satellite crash, which was conducted for similar observational purposes.
While the immediate impact poses no threat to life on Earth, the incident highlights growing concerns about space debris. Approximately 3,000 human-made objects, totaling about 190 tons, are currently in lunar orbit. Researchers warn that as lunar infrastructure, including bases and landers, becomes more prevalent, the accumulation of space debris could pose significant risks to future missions and astronauts. Dr. Mark Burchell, an astronomer from the University of Kent, noted that ejected debris could damage pressurized vessels or sensitive spacecraft components, even at distances far from the initial impact site.