WASHINGTON: An abandoned upper stage of a SpaceX rocket is on course to crash into the Moon next week, more than a year after it launched two lunar landers into space, creating a rare scientific opportunity for researchers.
The rocket stage is expected to slam into the Moon near Einstein Crater on Wednesday at about 5,400 mph (8,690 km/h)—roughly seven times the speed of sound. Scientists believe the impact will generate a large crater and eject a massive cloud of dust and debris visible through telescopes for several minutes.
The impact is expected to be best observed from eastern regions of Canada and South America. Space-tracking expert Bill Gray, who plans to observe the event from New Brunswick, Canada, said the collision will release energy equivalent to about three tons of TNT, sending lunar dust several kilometres above the surface.
According to Benjamin Fernando of Los Alamos National Laboratory, the impact could leave a crater about 90 feet (27 metres) wide and 16 feet (5 metres) deep. NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and South Korea’s Danuri lunar orbiter are expected to capture images of the site before and after the collision.
The rocket stage was launched on January 15, 2025, carrying Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lunar lander and Japan’s ispace lander. After completing its mission, the upper stage was left drifting through space before its trajectory gradually led it toward the Moon.
Scientists say the incident highlights the growing challenge of space debris. In 2022, a discarded Chinese rocket stage also struck the Moon’s far side unexpectedly.
Retired astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell warned that such uncontrolled impacts could become a serious concern as countries and private companies plan permanent bases on the Moon. He stressed the need for better monitoring and management of discarded spacecraft to reduce future risks.
Source: AP
