NewsWFLA News Channel 8 (Florida)July 31, 2026Hillsborough
Discarded SpaceX rocket expected to crash into the moon
A SpaceX rocket upper stage, abandoned in space over a year ago, is projected to impact the moon's surface this Wednesday. The collision is expected to create a crater and displace lunar dust.
Read the full story at WFLA News Channel 8 (Florida)Why It Matters
The impact represents a rare, unintentional event where human-made space debris will alter the lunar surface, providing scientists an opportunity to observe the resulting crater and dust plume.
Key Facts
- A SpaceX rocket upper stage is on a collision course with the moon.
- The rocket was used to launch lunar landers more than a year ago.
- The impact is scheduled to occur on Wednesday.
- The collision will create a crater on the moon's surface.
- The impact will displace lunar dust and rubble.
Who's Mentioned
otherDanuri“South Korean lunar orbiter gathering data on the crash.”organizationSpaceX“The company that launched the rocket stage currently on a collision course with ”organizationFirefly Aerospace“Company whose Blue Ghost lander was launched by the rocket.”locationCape Canaveral“The location associated with the news report.”personBill Gray“Space tracking expert who predicted the impact speed and location.”personBenjamin Fernando“Researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory studying the impact.”organizationispace“Japan-based company whose lander was launched by the rocket.”organizationNASA“U.S. space agency monitoring the event via the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.”personJonathan McDowell“Retired astrophysicist providing commentary on space debris.”