A segment of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is on a collision course with the moon. Experts expect the upper stage of the craft to impact the lunar surface near the Einstein Crater at approximately 2:35 a.m. EDT this Wednesday.
The object, which has been in space since January 2025, is traveling at a high rate of speed. Calculations suggest it will hit the moon at about 5,400 mph, creating a crater estimated to be 89 feet wide. This collision represents a rare opportunity for researchers to observe lunar impact effects in real time.
While the event will be brief, it is expected to generate significant debris. The impact will likely produce plumes of dust and rock reaching heights of 47 to 60 miles above the moon's surface. Sensitive telescopes may capture these ejecta curtains, providing data on how such impacts alter the lunar landscape.
This incident highlights the realities of deep-space operations. Rocket stages are typically jettisoned after launching satellites or supplies into orbit. Once left behind, these spent stages follow predictable trajectories that occasionally intersect with other celestial bodies. Scientists monitor these paths to understand potential hazards for future lunar missions.