{
  "id": 1810318,
  "title": "Before-and-after NASA images show crater carved by a SpaceX rocket that slammed into the moon",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/before-and-after-nasa-images-show-crater-carved-by-a-spacex-rocket-1810318",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-18T21:53:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/spacex-rocket-moon-crash-crater-52b76d61289c06b7d32348b082a8e6b8"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has captured striking before-and-after images of a lunar crater formed by a SpaceX rocket's upper stage impacting the moon's surface. The collision occurred on August 5, 2026, when a Falcon rocket's upper stage, traveling at 5,400 mph (8,700 kph), struck the moon after a year-long journey. The impact site, visible in the new photos, is approximately 60 feet (18 meters) in diameter and less than 10 feet (3 meters) deep. Dark streaks emanating from the crater indicate material excavated from the surface, while brighter rays suggest fresh rocks and dirt ejected from deeper within the lunar crust. The images were taken a week after the collision from a distance of 60 miles (96 kilometers) above the lunar surface. The orbiter had to be tilted to capture the impact area, which was only visible after six days due to the moon's rotation. South Korea's Danuri spacecraft was the first to observe the crash site, beaming back images before NASA's orbiter.",
  "summary": "CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A NASA spacecraft circling the moon is providing the sharpest views yet of the crater carved by a crashing…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "NASA Science",
        "title": "NASA’s LRO Images Falcon 9 Crater on Moon, Learns New Details",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/nasas-lro-images-falcon-9-crater-on-moon-learns-new-details",
        "published": "2026-08-18T18:49:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Before-and-after NASA images show crater carved by a SpaceX rocket that slammed into the moon",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/before-and-after-nasa-images-show-crater-carved-by-a-spacex-rocket",
        "published": "2026-08-18T21:39:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Phys.org",
        "title": "NASA's LRO images Falcon 9 crater on moon, learns new details",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/nasas-lro-images-falcon-9-crater-on-moon-learns-new-details-1812459",
        "published": "2026-08-18T21:50:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "NASA images show 60-foot-wide crater on moon after SpaceX rocket booster crash",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/nasa-images-show-60-foot-wide-crater-on-moon-after-spacex-rocket",
        "published": "2026-08-18T22:53:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}