SpaceX rocket part to crash into Moon

A remnant of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is on an unavoidable collision course with the Moon, with an impact anticipated around Wednesday morning Finnish time. The event is being closely monitored by space agencies and astronomers worldwide.

The rocket stage, which is approximately 13.8 meters long and 3.7 meters in diameter, was part of a launch in January 2025 carrying research equipment and a rover. However, the upper stage of the rocket has been drifting off its intended trajectory and is now set to impact the lunar surface near the Einstein crater at speeds up to 8,700 kilometers per hour.

Independent astronomers first detected the rogue trajectory, a conclusion later confirmed by NASA. "There is no danger to Earth," stated NASA spokesperson Jimi Russell, according to the BBC. NASA will continue to track the rocket stage and plans to study the impact site for scientific research.

Astronomers anticipate the collision will eject a substantial dust cloud, potentially reaching over 50 kilometers in altitude and spreading widely across the lunar surface. While the impact itself may not be visible to the naked eye from Earth, powerful telescopes might detect a flash of light on the Moon's surface. The best viewing opportunities are expected in eastern parts of the United States and Canada.

This event marks another instance of human-made space debris impacting the Moon, with the first recorded instance being the Soviet Union's Luna 2 probe in 1959. Experts emphasize the growing importance of tracking and managing space debris as more objects, including this SpaceX rocket stage, are expected to increasingly collide with the Moon.

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There is no danger to Earth.