NASA reveals images of new Moon crater from SpaceX rocket crash

Falcon 9 lunar impact moon crater space debris lunar geology

NASA has released high-resolution images of a new crater on the Moon, created by the impact of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket upper stage on August 5, 2026. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) captured the images between August 11 and 12 after engineers precisely maneuvered the spacecraft to target the site.

Scientists estimate the crater is approximately 18 meters (60 feet) wide and less than 3 meters (10 feet) deep. The impact, which occurred at an estimated speed of 5,400 mph, left distinct dark and bright streaks emanating from the site. The darker rays consist of weathered surface dust and rocks, while the brighter streaks are composed of fresh material excavated from deeper lunar layers.

The rocket stage was part of the Firefly Aerospace Blue Ghost 1 mission launched in January 2025. After delivering its payload, the defunct booster drifted in space before its trajectory led to the lunar collision. The identification of the impact site was a collaborative effort involving NASA and South Korea’s Danuri orbiter, which provided initial imagery before the LRO captured more detailed views.

Entities

Danuri · European Southern Observatory · Firefly Aerospace · Korea AeroSpace Administration · Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter · Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter · Moon · NASA · SpaceX

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] The impact released energy equivalent to nearly 3 tons of TNT. internewscast.com · www.blocktempo.com · www.iefimerida.gr
[● 24 SOURCES] The impact occurred on August 5, 2026, when a SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage struck the Moon. www.aajtak.in · www.tag24.com · www.nbcnews.com · time.news · www.in.gr · +18 more
[● 2 SOURCES] The Very Large Telescope in Chile detected spectral lines of sodium and lithium in the impact plume. time.news · www.blocktempo.com
[● 23 SOURCES] The Falcon 9 upper stage was part of a January 2025 launch that carried Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost 1 lander. www.aajtak.in · www.tag24.com · www.nbcnews.com · www.in.gr · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · +17 more
[● 7 SOURCES] The LRO spacecraft had to be tilted to photograph the crater while flying 60 miles above the surface. www.aajtak.in · www.nbcnews.com · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · n.com.do · juareznoticias.com · +2 more
[DISPUTED] The crater is approximately 18 meters (60 feet) wide and less than 3 meters (10 feet) deep. www.aajtak.in · www.tag24.com · www.nbcnews.com · time.news · www.in.gr · +18 more
[● 24 SOURCES] NASA released images of a new lunar crater captured by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). www.aajtak.in · www.tag24.com · www.nbcnews.com · time.news · www.in.gr · +18 more
[● 7 SOURCES] South Korea's Danuri orbiter published images of the crater on August 6. www.tag24.com · www.fehmarn24.de · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · n.com.do · ca.news.yahoo.com · +2 more
[● 28 SOURCES] The SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage crashed into the Moon on August 5, 2026. www.aajtak.in · www.tag24.com · www.nbcnews.com · time.news · www.in.gr · +22 more
[● 27 SOURCES] The impact crater is approximately 18 meters (60 feet) wide and less than 3 meters (10 feet) deep. www.aajtak.in · www.tag24.com · www.nbcnews.com · time.news · www.in.gr · +21 more
[● 23 SOURCES] The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) captured the images between August 11 and 12. www.aajtak.in · www.tag24.com · www.nbcnews.com · www.in.gr · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · +17 more
[● 17 SOURCES] The Falcon 9 upper stage was part of a January 2025 launch that carried Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost 1 lunar lander. www.aajtak.in · www.tag24.com · www.nbcnews.com · www.in.gr · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · +12 more