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A component from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that has been drifting through space since early 2025 is believed to have impacted the lunar surface at high velocity on Wednesday. The collision, which occurred at approximately 2:35am ET, involved the rocket segment striking the moon’s surface at around 5,400 miles per hour. The impact site was located near Einstein Crater on the moon’s western edge, a region that presents viewing challenges from Earth.
The 4-tonne upper stage of the Falcon 9 had been left in orbit after launching lunar landers from Florida last January. While the rocket’s lower section successfully returned to Earth, the upper stage remained in space and gradually accumulated velocity due to solar activity and gravitational forces. Astronomers determined earlier this year that the uncontrolled debris was on a collision course with the moon, though SpaceX officials stated the crash was unintentional and resulted from environmental factors beyond their control.
According to space agencies, the impact poses no threat to Earth and was expected to create a new lunar crater. The collision highlights growing concerns about space debris accumulation, with over 46,000 pieces of tracked debris currently orbiting Earth. As NASA prepares its Artemis programme to establish a lunar base and conduct routine astronaut missions, both NASA and SpaceX are exploring strategies to prevent future unintended impacts on the lunar surface.
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Originally reported by Aljazeera →
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