SpaceX Rocket Stage Set for Lunar Impact, Raising Space Junk Concerns

A piece of space debris, the upper stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, is on an unavoidable trajectory to crash into the Moon. The collision, anticipated around 4:35 PM AEST, is expected to release a significant amount of energy upon impact, creating a crater and potentially a visible flash of light known as a lunar impact flash.

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My main issue is the underlying implication that we seem to be treating the Moon with the reverence of a garbage dump.

Scientists are viewing the event as a unique opportunity to study the effects of such a collision in real time. Professor Katarina Miljkovic from Curtin University noted that while the Moon is frequently hit by meteoroids, human-made impacts are rare. She explained that space junk, which normally re-enters Earth's atmosphere, can sometimes end up in "limbo" orbits, and in this case, it crossed paths with the Moon.

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The Moon does not have any atmosphere, so you don't get it burning out in the atmosphere like we would do on Earth. It just goes straight for the hit on the ground and it will make a crater.

However, the impending crash also brings to the forefront concerns about space junk and its implications for the lunar environment. Space lawyer Gregory Radisic expressed worry about the precedent this sets, stating, "My main issue is the underlying implication that we seem to be treating the Moon with the reverence of a garbage dump." He emphasized that such impacts leave lasting marks on the lunar surface due to the absence of weather to erode them, questioning the acceptance of single entities impacting the Moon visually and physically for years to come.

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And, as it actually makes the crater, it releases an insane amount of energy.

While the impact itself poses no danger and is not an "Armageddon" scenario, it highlights the growing challenge of managing space debris. The event underscores the need for better communication systems and accountability for space operators as more missions, including those aimed at lunar construction, are planned. Unfortunately for viewers in Australia, the crash will occur during daylight hours, making it best visible from Eastern North America and much of South America.

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You can actually see it as a millisecond blip of light, coming off the surface of the Moon, called lunar impact flashes.