A discarded section of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is on a collision course with the moon. Experts tracking space debris project the upper stage of the rocket, which measures roughly the size of a five-story building, will impact the lunar surface at a speed exceeding 5,000 miles per hour.
The rocket stage dates back to a January 2025 mission that successfully delivered lunar landers and scientific equipment to the moon. After completing its task, the upper portion of the vehicle remained in orbit. Scientists expect the collision to occur on the side of the moon facing Earth, likely near the Einstein Crater.
NASA researchers plan to use the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to monitor the crash site before and after the event. The goal is to document any changes to the lunar surface caused by the impact. While professional telescopes might struggle to capture a clear view of the event, some experts suggest that dust plumes generated by the collision could be visible with sensitive equipment.
This incident highlights the growing challenge of managing debris in space. While the impact was not intentional, it provides a rare opportunity for scientists to observe how high-speed objects alter the surface of the moon. Researchers interested in the event are encouraged to monitor data from NASA as it becomes available following the impact.