NewsWFLA News Channel 8July 31, 2026Hillsborough
SpaceX rocket stage to impact the moon
A discarded SpaceX rocket upper stage is projected to collide with the moon this Wednesday. The object has been drifting in space since it was used to launch lunar landers over a year ago.
Read the full story at WFLA News Channel 8Why It Matters
The impact will create a new crater on the moon's surface and eject lunar material, providing scientists with an opportunity to observe subsurface debris.
Key Facts
- A SpaceX rocket upper stage is on a trajectory to collide with the moon.
- The collision is scheduled to occur on Wednesday.
- The rocket was originally launched more than a year ago to deploy a pair of lunar landers.
- The impact is expected to create a crater on the lunar surface.
- The collision will displace lunar dust and rubble.
Who's Mentioned
organizationSpaceX“The company that launched the rocket stage currently on a collision course with ”organizationFirefly Aerospace“Company that operated the Blue Ghost lunar lander.”locationCape Canaveral“The location associated with the reporting of the event.”personBill Gray“Space tracking expert who predicted the impact speed and location.”personBenjamin Fernando“Scientist from Los Alamos National Laboratory studying the impact.”organizationispace“Japan-based company whose lunar lander wrecked during the mission.”organizationNASA“U.S. space agency monitoring the event with the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.”personJonathan McDowell“Retired astrophysicist providing commentary on space debris management.”