NASA Will Attempt to Observe Rocket Part’s Lunar Impact
Using ground-based telescopes and space-based assets, NASA and SpaceX are tracking a used Falcon 9 upper stage from a commercial mission expected to impact the Moon on Wednesday, Aug. 5, near the Einstein and Bell craters. The impact poses no danger to Earth and NASA scientists are planning to collect lunar data from the event […] The post NASA Will Attempt to Observe Rocket Part’s Lunar Impact…
NASA plans to observe the lunar impact of a Falcon 9 upper stage rocket, which is set to crash into the Moon on Wednesday, Aug. 5. The event will be observed using ground-based telescopes and space-based assets by NASA and SpaceX. The impact poses no risk to Earth and offers scientists the opportunity to collect lunar data and refine techniques for tracking objects in space.
The upper stage rocket was deployed to the Moon on Jan. 15, 2025, under NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative. Independent astronomers first identified the trajectory using publicly available data, and NASA later confirmed a 100% chance of impact. The rocket stage is expected to create a crater approximately 60 feet wide and 12 feet deep, ejecting dust and rock.
Observing the impact provides valuable insights into lunar geology and helps develop models for future exploration. Although the impact cannot be seen with the naked eye on Earth, NASA will attempt real-time observation using various spacecraft and telescopes. This data will contribute to understanding artificial impacts and their implications for space exploration.
Written by urgent.news from NASA Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
