Space Junk Warning: SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Crashes Into Moon, Scientists Search for Crater
The upper stage of a Falcon 9 rocket owned by SpaceX, which drifted uncontrollably in space after completing its mission, hit the surface of the Moon approximately 18 months later. Scientists are now searching for the newly formed crater to confirm the traces of the impact. The collision also brought the debate about space debris back to the agenda. So, does space debris pose a risk?
Here are the details.
How Did SpaceX's Falcon 9 Rocket Crash Into The Moon?
SpaceX successfully completed a space mission with the Falcon 9 rocket in January 2025. However, after the mission ended, the upper stage of the rocket was not directed into the Earth's atmosphere as planned. This section, which depleted its fuel and lost its maneuverability, continued to travel uncontrollably in space for about 18 months.
According to the orbit calculations made by experts, the rocket part hit near the Einstein Crater located on the far side of the Moon, which is not visible from Earth, on August 5, 2026. It is estimated that the collision occurred at a speed of approximately 8,700 kilometers per hour.
Scientists are Looking for the New Crater
The collision that occurred on the side of the Moon that cannot be seen from Earth could not be directly imaged. However, astronomers detected a short-term dust cloud around the Moon in their observations with telescopes in Chile. Traces of sodium and lithium were found in this cloud in the analysis. These data are among the strongest evidence supporting that the collision could have actually occurred.
Now, all eyes are turned to the high-resolution images to come from spacecraft operating in lunar orbit.
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and South Korea's Danuri spacecraft are expected to image the area in the coming days. If a new crater is detected, the event will be officially confirmed.
How Big is the Crater Formed by the Impact?
Scientists believe that the upper stage of Falcon 9 may have created a new crater about 18 to 20 meters in diameter on the surface of the Moon.
Since there is no atmosphere on the Moon, impacting objects do not lose speed. Therefore, many objects that would not cause significant damage on Earth can leave permanent marks on the lunar surface. The new crater that will form will also be an important reference point for future scientific research.
Is Space Debris Dangerous for Humans?
Completed satellites, unused rocket parts, broken metal pieces, old batteries, and thousands of small debris created by collisions make up space waste. The majority of space debris, however, burns up and disappears when it enters the Earth's atmosphere. Therefore, the probability of it falling on people is considered quite low.
However, the real risk occurs in space.
The International Space Station (ISS), communication satellites, weather prediction systems, GPS satellites, and future missions to the Moon have to constantly track and maneuver due to space debris.
According to experts, as space activities increase, so does this risk. Especially with the launch of thousands of internet satellites, orbital traffic is becoming denser every year.
Sure, Can the Area Around the Moon Be Filled with Space Debris?
Until now, space debris was mostly discussed in terms of Earth's orbit. However, with NASA's Artemis program, China's lunar missions, and the increasing activities of private companies, scientists are now drawing attention to space traffic around the Moon as well.
Although the collision of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket with the Moon did not create a major danger, it brought the issue of space debris back to the agenda. According to experts, not only the Earth's orbit, but also the surroundings of the Moon should be managed more carefully in the future. It is of critical importance to prevent uncontrolled abandonment of space vehicles that have completed their missions in space, in order to prevent new collisions.
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