South Korean Danuri satellite images fresh lunar crater from SpaceX rocket impact
South Korea's Danuri spacecraft captured images of a new crater on the Moon caused by a SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage that struck the surface on Wednesday.
A South Korean satellite has photographed a fresh impact site on the Moon after a SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage collided with the lunar surface on Wednesday. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute’s Danuri spacecraft, which is in lunar orbit, made several passes over the area and transmitted images to the agency on Thursday. The photos show a darker patch where the rocket struck, forming a crater and scattering dust and rock. Korean officials said the images include both pre-impact and post-impact views. NASA plans to task its Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter with imaging the site next week. The Falcon 9 upper stage, launched in 2022, was placed on a collision course with the Moon due to solar activity and gravitational forces, according to SpaceX.