SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage creates 60-foot crater on Moon

A discarded SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage crashed into the Moon on August 5, 2026, creating a crater approximately 60 feet wide. The impact provides scientists with a rare opportunity to observe lunar geological changes in real time.

NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) captured detailed images of the impact site between August 11 and 12. The images reveal fresh, bright material excavated from beneath the lunar surface, contrasting with the older, darker surface material that has been weathered by solar wind and cosmic rays.

The rocket stage had previously been used to launch Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost 1 lunar lander on January 15, 2025. Following its mission, the stage remained in orbit until gravitational forces and solar activity redirected it toward the lunar surface. While natural meteoroid impacts of similar energy occur roughly every six days, human-made collisions are significantly rarer, offering a unique chance to study impact mechanics and test tracking systems.