A SpaceX rocket used to launch a pair of robotic commercial lunar landers is expected to crash into the moon early Wednesday morning. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off on January 15, 2025, carrying the Blue Ghost lander developed by Texas-based Firefly Aerospace, as well as Tokyo-based Ispace’s Resilience lander.
Impact Expected
The rocket’s upper stage, estimated to be around 8,818 pounds, is expected to hit the lunar surface near Einstein Crater. The impact flash will only last about a second at most, and may be tough to spot through telescopes.
Independent astronomers used publicly available data to track the Falcon 9 upper stage and determine that it was on a collision course with the moon, according to NASA. The agency’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies, which tracks the orbits of space rocks that could crash into the moon, also confirmed the impact trajectory of the upper stage.
Scientific Significance
Scientists can use this rare occurrence of an artificial object hitting the moon to learn more about Earth’s natural satellite — as well as prepare for how to shield astronauts and any future infrastructure sent there. NASA is planning to create a more sustained human presence on the lunar surface through the Artemis program.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
