First Images of SpaceX Rocket Crater on the Moon
Photo: Wired
Quick answer
A crater left by a SpaceX rocket has been discovered on the Moon, with images published by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute.
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) has released images showing the crater left on the Moon by a SpaceX rocket stage. Captured by a lunar orbiter, the photos confirm that surface damage was minimal.
The incident occurred in March 2022 when a spent Falcon 9 rocket stage, launched in 2015, collided with the Moon’s far side. The rocket’s trajectory led to its impact on Earth’s satellite, one of the few documented cases of space debris affecting the lunar surface.
Experts highlight that such events provide valuable data on the consequences of object impacts on the Moon and help assess risks for future missions. Despite the small crater size, the event has sparked scientific interest by offering unique research opportunities.
Common questions
- Which SpaceX rocket created the lunar crater?
- The crater resulted from the impact of a spent Falcon 9 rocket stage, launched in 2015, which crashed into the Moon in 2022.
- Why is this event significant for science?
- The collision offers insights into the effects of space debris impacts on the Moon and helps evaluate risks for future missions and equipment protection.
- Who captured the crater images?
- The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) obtained the images using a lunar orbiter, marking the first documented evidence of a SpaceX rocket's impact on the Moon.
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