Satellite captures before and after views of rocket's crash into moon
A South Korean satellite has captured images of a crater on the moon caused by a stray SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The impact, which occurred at high speed, was documented by the Danuri spacecraft as it orbited the lunar surface.
Why it matters
This event highlights the growing issue of space debris and the environmental impact of increasing commercial space exploration.
<p>A South Korean satellite has captured the first pictures of the moon’s fresh crash scene caused by a stray SpaceX rocket.</p> <p>The Korea Aerospace Research Institute's Danuri spacecraft flew over the impact site soon after the Falcon 9 upper stage <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/08/06/wayward-spacex-rocket-slammed-into-the-moon-as-predicted-scientists-say/" target="_blank">inadvertently ploughed into the moon</a>. Danuri made multiple passes, snapping photos from lunar orbit that were released by the space agency Thursday.</p> <p>The terrain is noticeably darker where the rocket hit and carved out a crater, sending dust and rock everywhere.
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