{
  "id": 1939044,
  "title": "Nasa captures images of Moon crater caused by SpaceX debris",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/nasa-captures-images-of-moon-crater-caused-by-spacex-debris-1939044",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-19T12:58:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/08/19/nasa-captures-images-of-moon-crater-caused-by-spacex-debris/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter snapped photographs of an 18.3 meter wide crater on the Moon, created by debris from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The upper stage of the rocket, built by Elon Musk's SpaceX, crashed into the lunar surface on August 5. The collision was not intentional, as the rocket was on an unplanned mission to return to the Moon following the completion of 677 missions. Scientists calculated the depth of the crater to be less than 3.05 meters. Dimitra Atri, a principal investigator at New York University Abu Dhabi's Centre for Astrophysics and Space Science, expressed concerns about the dangers posed by space debris during lunar expeditions. He stated that both the United States and China are planning permanent bases on the Moon, making it crucial to monitor and assess potential risks. NASA’s orbiter captured the images, but it could not prevent such an event due to the lack of atmosphere on the Moon, causing objects to hit at high speeds. The UAE has a history of space exploration, launching the Hope probe to Mars in 2019 and preparing for its MBR Explorer spacecraft mission in 2028.",
  "summary": "A Nasa spacecraft has captured images of a crater on the Moon caused by the impact of the Falcon 9 SpaceX rocket. The upper stage of the rocket, built by Elon Musk's SpaceX, crashed into the Moon on August 5 as solar activity and gravitational forces affected the part's trajectory, ultimately leading to its impact. Snapping a photo of the crater was not an easy feat. Nasa’s Lunar Reconnaissance…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Nasa captures images of Moon crater caused by SpaceX debris",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/nasa-captures-images-of-moon-crater-caused-by-spacex-debris",
        "published": "2026-08-19T12:58:55.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}