NASA images show crater carved by SpaceX rocket that slammed into Moon
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has captured high-resolution images of a crater created by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage that crashed into the Moon. The impact, occurring at 8,700 km/h, left an 18-meter-wide crater with distinct debris patterns.
Why it matters
This event highlights the growing issue of space debris and the environmental impact of human activity on lunar surfaces.
Before (left) and after (right) photos from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter show a crater carved by a crashing SpaceX rocket. ( NASA via AP )
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has captured the sharpest views yet of a crater carved by a crashing SpaceX rocket.
Earlier this month, the upper stage of a SpaceX rocket ploughed into the Moon after drifting through space for more than a year.
The fresh crater appears to be 18 metres across and less than 3m deep.
Link copied Share Share article A NASA spacecraft circling the Moon is providing the sharpest views yet of a crater carved by a crashing SpaceX rocket, with the space agency releasing before-and-after photos of the impact area.
The SpaceX Falcon rocket's upper stage ploughed into the Moon at 8,700 kilometres per hour on August 5 after drifting through space for more than a year.
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