Scientists say wayward SpaceX rocket hit the moon
A discarded SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage has collided with the moon as predicted by scientists after drifting off course for over a year. Astronomers confirmed the impact by detecting a debris plume containing sodium and lithium using a telescope in Chile.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the growing issue of space debris and the environmental impact of lunar exploration as global space agencies increase activity.
The European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope detected sodium and lithium from the moon. Photo: AP PHOTO A SpaceX rocket that launched a pair of lunar landers slammed into the moon as predicted after drifting off course for the past year, scientists say.
All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All other regional websites in your area Continue Although no one observed the collision, a telescope in Chile spotted what astronomers have identified as the debris plume resulting from the crash.
Space tracking experts said it was inevitable that the leftover rocket segment ploughed into the moon.
The school-bus-size object is the second stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that had launched a lunar lander from Firefly Aerospace toward the moon in January 2025.
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