NASA Reveals Falcon 9 Lunar Crater
PUBLISHED Aug 21, 2026, 12:58 AM ET
NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter captured detailed images of a newly formed crater resulting from the impact of a discarded SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage. The rocket stage, which launched in January 2025 supporting the Firefly Blue Ghost 1 mission, collided with the Moon on August 5, 2026, near Einstein Crater at roughly 5,400 mph. Researchers from NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory refined trajectory predictions prior to the collision. South Korea's Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter team subsequently photographed the site and provided initial coordinates. NASA's high-resolution imaging revealed a crater measuring approximately 60 feet wide and less than 10 feet deep. The forceful impact excavated material from up to 1.5 feet beneath the lunar surface, exposing weathered dark surface dust alongside bright, unweathered subsurface material. Scientists are actively analyzing the data to better understand impact mechanics and refine predictive models for future cislunar events.
By Michael Grant | JQJO News
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Left: Highlighted space debris regulation concerns and commercial accountability standards. Center: Focused strictly on scientific measurements, agency collaboration, and impact mechanics. Right: Emphasized technological achievement, aerospace capability, and exploration advancements.
publication_date: August 18, 2026 trigger_description: NASA published official imagery and findings of the lunar impact on August 18, 2026. https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/moon/nasas-lro-images-falcon-9-crater-on-moon-learns-new-details/
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NASA Reveals Falcon 9 Lunar Crater
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