NASA Orbiter Spots SpaceX Moon Crash Crater
By ThePip Desk
NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter captured images of a 60-foot crater on the Moon, created by a SpaceX Falcon rocket’s high-speed impact.
NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter just captured detailed images of a new 60-foot-wide crater on the Moon. This lunar mark was formed when a SpaceX Falcon rocket upper stage crashed into the surface on August 5.
- The crater measures 60 feet (18 meters) wide.
- It is less than 10 feet (3 meters) deep.
- The SpaceX Falcon rocket upper stage hit the Moon at 5,400 mph (8,700 kph).
- This rocket had been drifting in space for over a year before its impact.
The images show dark and bright streaks coming out from the crater. These streaks indicate that material was dug out from both the Moon’s surface and deeper layers during the crash.
Observing the Lunar Impact
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, which has been orbiting the Moon since 2009, photographed the impact site a week after the collision. This mission provides constant monitoring of the lunar environment.
- South Korea’s Danuri spacecraft also provided early pictures of the crash scene.
This event gives scientists a fresh impact site to study how objects affect the Moon’s surface. It offers valuable data for understanding lunar geology.