NASA shows crater caused by impact of SpaceX rocket debris on the Moon

NASA has shared new images revealing a crater on the lunar surface, approximately 18 meters in diameter, caused by the impact of space debris. The images were captured by the agency's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) between August 11th and 12th.

The impact occurred on August 5th when the upper stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, launched in January 2025 as part of the Firefly Blue Ghost 1 mission, struck the Moon. The LRO's photographs clearly show the collision's effects, creating a new depression measuring 18 meters wide and less than 3 meters deep, adjacent to a pre-existing larger crater.

According to NASA, the impact excavated lunar surface layers, scattering them in ray-like patterns around the cavity. Darker rays consist of surface rocks and dust, while brighter ones reveal material from deeper beneath the surface. NASA experts analyzed the crater under various lighting conditions, revealing unique features.

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Between August 11 and 12, the Moon's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) captured a series of images of a new crater on the Moon.

Capturing these images presented a challenge. The LRO orbits the Moon from pole to pole every two hours, and the impact site was only visible after a six-day wait due to the satellite's slow rotation. The rocket debris originated from a joint lunar mission by Firefly Aerospace and ispace, launched on January 15th, 2025, which followed a trajectory influenced by solar activity and gravitational forces.

NASA confirmed the impact on August 5th, noting that the event would be valuable for studying lunar geology and refining strategies for future exploration and scientific missions.

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The crater formed on August 5, when the upper stage of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket impacted the surface after its January 2025 launch of the Firefly Blue Ghost 1 mission.