SpaceX Rocket to Crash Into Moon After Lunar Mission, Scientists Await Rare Impact
A discarded SpaceX rocket upper stage is on a collision course with the moon, expected to impact at high speeds. Scientists view the event as an opportunity to study lunar craters and the growing issue of space debris.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the increasing risks of orbital congestion and the environmental impact of human activity in space.
Copy Link X WhatsApp Share By Associated Press A drifting SpaceX rocket is on a collision course with the moon after launching a pair of lunar landers more than a year ago.
The rocket’s upper stage will unintentionally slam into the moon on Wednesday, carving out a crater and sending up a plume of dust and rubble that scientists - and skygazers — are eager to observe. Space tracking expert Bill Gray predicts an impact of 5,400 mph (8,700 kph) - seven times the speed of sound — near Einstein Crater on the moon’s sunlit western limb. With the action unfolding in the wee hours, the eastern portions of the US and Canada, and much of South America should have the best views.
While scientists are not too concerned about this particular piece of space junk, it highlights the growing threat as more and more items cram into orbit.
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