SpaceX Rocket Stage Set for Lunar Impact; Mirror Satellites and Wildfire Recovery Also Featured

A 4.5-ton SpaceX rocket stage, approximately 12 meters long, is on a collision course with the Moon. Scientists are preparing to closely observe the impact, which is expected to occur Wednesday at a speed of 8,700 km/h. The booster stage had previously been used in 2025 to launch two spacecraft towards the lunar surface.

In other space-related news, the American startup Reflect Orbital has received approval from U.S. authorities for a project involving orbital mirror satellites. These satellites are designed to act as giant projectors in space, capable of providing light on demand, potentially even during nighttime. However, the project has raised concerns among scientists regarding its potential impact on the night sky.

The article also touches upon the ecological consequences of recent wildfires, particularly those that swept through the Landes and Gironde regions. While heatwaves already stressed many species, the fires caused significant losses across various ecosystems, including plants, reptiles, mammals, and butterflies. Despite the devastation, the piece notes that nature's recovery can be surprisingly rapid.