A Falcon 9 Rocket Stage Hit the Moon

A spent upper stage from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket hit the Moon at high speed on 5 August. The stage launched in January 2025 with Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander and ispace's Resilience lander. After completing that job, it remained in a long, Moon-crossing orbit.

Space-tracking experts said the impact near Einstein Crater was unavoidable. The stage was moving at about 2.43 kilometres per second. It should have produced a small crater and a cloud of lunar dust, but visual confirmation will need to wait for a spacecraft to photograph the site.

The impact was not intentional. Still, researchers say it offers a useful chance to study how dust moves after a high-speed collision. It also shows why space agencies and companies need better tracking and disposal plans as more objects travel near the Moon.