Lunar orbiters are currently working to capture images of the impact zone.
In April, astronomer Bill Grey noted on his website that a Falcon 9 rocket from SpaceX was set to strike the moon on August 5. Recent observations suggest that the impact has occurred as predicted. Carl Schmidt, a planetary scientist at Boston University’s Center for Space Physics, reported that the Very Large Telescope in Chile detected a plume of sodium and lithium gas, confirming the collision took place. The plume was observed to be several kilometers wide and lasted between five to ten minutes.
According to reports, both professional and amateur astronomers faced challenges in confirming the impact event due to it occurring on the illuminated side of the moon, where brightness obscured visibility. The impact, while significant, was not particularly large even though the four-ton rocket hit the moon’s surface at 5,400 mph. Though it is uncommon for human-made objects to collide with the moon, the lunar surface routinely endures impacts from meteoroids of similar intensity. NASA estimates that this collision resulted in a new crater approximately 60 feet wide and 12 feet deep.
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and South Korea’s Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter are set to photograph the impact site. However, their success will rely on various factors, including light conditions and timing, and the process may take several days to relay images back to Earth.
This Falcon 9 rocket, specifically the upper stage, was part of the Blue Ghost mission launched on January 15, 2025, which deployed two lunar landers into orbit. SpaceX indicated that for most missions, they aim for a controlled reentry of the Falcon’s second stage into the ocean. However, for missions requiring higher energy like those involving lunar transfers, the vehicle’s performance primarily focuses on successfully placing the payload in its designated orbit, making controlled disposal sometimes impractical.
Essentially, the rocket expended most of its fuel in its mission and lacked the capability to return to Earth. SpaceX attributed the rocket’s trajectory toward the moon to solar activity and gravitational forces. While concerns regarding space debris have been raised, NASA stated that disposing of upper stages on the lunar surface is an accepted and safe practice, and in many circumstances, it is the only feasible option for missions in low lunar orbit.
