First Images of Moon After SpaceX Rocket Crash Released
South Korea's Danuri satellite has captured images of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage that crashed into the moon near the Einstein Crater. The collision occurred at 5,400 mph after the rocket part was set on an accidental trajectory by solar activity and gravity.
Why it matters
This event highlights the increasing amount of space debris and the challenges of managing orbital trajectories for private space exploration companies.
Moon in August 5, 2026 Credit: Saulo Dias/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock NEED TO KNOW A part of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket crashed into the moon near the Einstein Crater at 5,400 mph on Wednesday, Aug. 5
Images of the crash site were released by South Korea's Danuri satellite on Thursday, Aug. 6
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is expected to examine the crash site for further analysis next week
The first images of the impact caused by a SpaceX rocket crash on the moon have been shared.
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute 's Danuri satellite spacecraft captured images of the crash site while in orbit. The photos were released on Thursday, Aug. 6, one day after Elon Musk 's SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage collided with the moon.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in