SpaceX Rocket Stage Set to Impact Moon in August
A discarded SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage is projected to collide with the Moon near the Einstein crater on August 5, 2026, at approximately 5,400 mph.
A discarded upper stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is projected to collide with the Moon near the Einstein crater on August 5, 2026, at approximately 5,400 mph. The 45-foot-tall rocket stage, launched in early 2025, has been orbiting the Earth-Moon system since delivering two lunar landers: Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost Mission 1, which successfully landed on the Moon, and ispace's Hakuto-R Mission 2, which crashed due to a laser rangefinder failure. Astronomer Bill Gray, who tracks man-made objects in space, predicts the impact will occur at 2:44 a.m. EDT on August 5. While the collision poses no risk to existing lunar missions, it may create a new crater of minor scientific interest. This event highlights concerns about space debris management, especially as lunar exploration activities increase. The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 obligates nations to avoid harmful contamination of celestial bodies, emphasizing the need for responsible disposal of space hardware.