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Defunct part of SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will slam into the moon

A discarded SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage crashed into the lunar surface on Wednesday. Scientists confirmed the impact occurred as predicted after the hardware drifted from a high-Earth orbit. South Korea's Danuri spacecraft captured images of the crash site shortly after the collision. The defunct hardware belonged to the January 2025 Blue Ghost mission. While the impact was accidental, the event provides data for scientists studying lunar collisions.

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What changed

South Korean satellite imagery and scientist confirmations verify the rocket crashed as predicted.

Live updates

  1. SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage crashes into moon

    A discarded SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage crashed into the lunar surface on Wednesday. Scientists confirmed the impact occurred as predicted after the hardware drifted from a high-Earth orbit. South Korea's Danuri spacecraft captured images of the crash site shortly after the collision. The defunct hardware belonged to the January 2025 Blue Ghost mission. While the impact was accidental, the event provides data for scientists studying lunar collisions.

    Why it matters

    The rocket stage was projected to hit the moon with 11.8 gigajoules of energy. This event creates a new crater on the lunar surface. It allows researchers to observe the effects of high-energy impacts on the moon.

    What is confirmed

    • A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage crashed into the moon on Wednesday.
    • The hardware was part of the January 2025 Blue Ghost mission.
    • South Korea's Danuri spacecraft photographed the impact site.
    • Scientists confirmed the collision occurred as predicted.

    What to watch next

    • Analysis of the new crater's size and depth from Danuri images
    Sources used for this update (4)
    1. mynews13.com — SpaceX successfully launches latest Starlink mission
    2. www.engadget.com — SpaceX's wandering Falcon 9 rocket has crashed into the moon
    3. www.latimes.com — Wayward SpaceX rocket slammed into the moon as predicted
    4. apnews.com — South Korean satellite captures before and after views of SpaceX rocket’s moon crash
    confidence 100%

  2. Defunct SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage to collide with moon Wednesday

    A discarded Falcon 9 rocket stage is on an accidental collision course with the moon, with impact expected early Wednesday. The defunct hardware drifted from a high-Earth orbit and is projected to hit the lunar surface with 11.8 gigajoules of energy. Astronomers are monitoring the event, which is expected to create a new crater. While the collision was not intentional, a former NASA official stated the event offers incredible lessons for scientists.

    Why it matters

    The impact involves a rocket stage abandoned in high-Earth orbit. This accidental event allows researchers to study high-speed collisions on the lunar surface.

    What is confirmed

    • A defunct SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage will collide with the moon.
    • The collision is accidental and not intentional.
    • The impact is expected to occur on Wednesday.
    • The rocket stage was abandoned in high-Earth orbit.

    Still unconfirmed

    • The impact will occur with 11.8 gigajoules of energy.
    • The collision will carve a new crater.

    What to watch next

    • Confirmation of the exact impact time and location on the lunar surface
    • Scientific analysis of the resulting crater or debris
    • Official statements from SpaceX regarding the drifting hardware
    Sources used for this update (14)
    1. The Guardian — Drifting SpaceX rocket heading for accidental collision with moon
    2. Space — A SpaceX rocket will crash into the moon next week, and scientists aren't sure what to expect
    3. IFLScience — Falcon 9 Rocket Stage "Abandoned" In High-Earth Orbit Is About To Slam Into The Moon, With The Energy Of 11.8 Gigajoules
    4. ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — A piece of a SpaceX rocket is about to hit the moon
    5. NewsNation — Discarded SpaceX rocket to crash on Moon early Wednesday
    6. AP News — A discarded SpaceX rocket is on a high-speed collision course with the moon
    7. NBC News — A defunct SpaceX rocket is about to crash into the moon
    8. NPR — Defunct part of SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will slam into the moon
    9. Yahoo — SpaceX moon crash offers ‘incredible’ lessons, ex-NASA official says
    10. LiveNOW from FOX — Used SpaceX rocket will soon slam into the moon, but not on purpose
    11. CBC — A SpaceX rocket will slam into the moon on Wednesday, and astronomers will be watching closely
    12. The Jerusalem Post — SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage set to crash into Moon and carve new crater
    confidence 90%

  3. Defunct SpaceX Falcon 9 Stage to Impact Moon Wednesday

    A discarded SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage is expected to crash into the moon early Wednesday. The defunct piece of hardware was abandoned in high-Earth orbit and is now on a high-speed, accidental collision course with the lunar surface. Scientists and astronomers intend to monitor the event closely, though some experts remain uncertain about the exact outcome of the impact. The collision is expected to carve a new crater into the moon's surface.

    Why it matters

    This event provides a rare opportunity for researchers to study high-velocity impacts. An ex-NASA official stated the crash offers incredible lessons for the scientific community.

    What is confirmed

    • A defunct SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage is on a collision course with the moon.
    • The rocket part was abandoned in high-Earth orbit.
    • The impact is expected to occur on Wednesday.
    • The collision is accidental and not intentional.

    Still unconfirmed

    • The impact will occur with the energy of 11.8 gigajoules.
    • The rocket will hit the moon at 5,400 mph or seven times the speed of sound.
    • The impact will carve a new crater.

    What to watch next

    • Confirmation of the exact impact time and location on the lunar surface.
    • Scientific analysis of the impact data by astronomers.
    Sources used for this update (14)
    1. The Guardian — Drifting SpaceX rocket heading for accidental collision with moon
    2. Space — A SpaceX rocket will crash into the moon next week, and scientists aren't sure what to expect
    3. IFLScience — Falcon 9 Rocket Stage "Abandoned" In High-Earth Orbit Is About To Slam Into The Moon, With The Energy Of 11.8 Gigajoules
    4. ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — A piece of a SpaceX rocket is about to hit the moon
    5. NewsNation — Discarded SpaceX rocket to crash on Moon early Wednesday
    6. AP News — A discarded SpaceX rocket is on a high-speed collision course with the moon
    7. NBC News — A defunct SpaceX rocket is about to crash into the moon
    8. NPR — Defunct part of SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will slam into the moon
    9. Yahoo — SpaceX moon crash offers ‘incredible’ lessons, ex-NASA official says
    10. LiveNOW from FOX — Used SpaceX rocket will soon slam into the moon, but not on purpose
    11. CBC — A SpaceX rocket will slam into the moon on Wednesday, and astronomers will be watching closely
    12. The Jerusalem Post — SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage set to crash into Moon and carve new crater
    confidence 90%