A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket booster that launched from Cape Canaveral on January 15, 2025, crashed into the moon early Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at roughly 5,400 mph. The impact created a crater about 60 feet wide and 12 feet deep near the Einstein and Bell craters, according to NASA. The agency said the crash posed no risk to Earth but will be studied for scientific insights. The rocket was part of a mission carrying two commercial lunar landers—one of which achieved the first successful private moon landing.
The Falcon 9’s upper stage was left on a trajectory that intersected with the moon after completing its mission. Scientists had predicted the collision months earlier and planned to analyze the aftermath. The rocket’s impact sent dust and rock flying outward, leaving a visible mark on the lunar surface. NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and South Korea’s Danuri spacecraft are expected to capture images of the new crater in the coming weeks.
The mission, which launched from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, aimed to deliver two lunar landers. Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost became the first privately built spacecraft to land successfully on the moon. Japan’s ispace, however, lost its lander during its descent. SpaceX officials said the rocket’s trajectory was unintentional and unrelated to the landers’ outcomes.
Space experts confirmed the impact was not a safety concern for Earth but emphasized its significance for understanding orbital debris. The Falcon 9’s upper stage had been drifting in space for over a year before striking the moon. NASA and international partners will continue monitoring the site for data on lunar surface changes and the long-term effects of uncontrolled spacecraft impacts.