Piece of SpaceX rocket to crash into moon at high speed

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage, weighing four tonnes, is set to crash into the moon at high speed early Wednesday. The school bus-sized object, the second stage of the rocket launched in January 2025, is expected to strike the lunar surface near Einstein Crater on the moon’s western limb. At approximately 8,690 km/h, the impact is unintentional and will likely create a plume of lunar dust.

Although the space junk poses no danger to anyone, it highlights the issue of space junk disposal. This event, which occurred due to solar activity and gravity forces, may provide minor scientific insight. Space junk impacts on the moon are rare, with China, NASA, and India experiencing similar incidents in recent years. NASA and SpaceX are currently discussing methods to prevent future lunar impacts as part of their plans to establish a lunar base and conduct routine astronaut missions under the Artemis programme.