Part Of A SpaceX Rocket Will Be Hitting The Moon At Mach 7, According To Experts
AOL.com • • science
Key Points:
- The upper stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, launched in January 2025, is predicted to impact the Moon at over seven times the speed of sound in August 2026, creating a small crater upon vaporization.
- This object was tracked by astronomer Bill Gray and the U.S. Space Force, highlighting ongoing concerns about uncontrolled rocket stage impacts on the lunar surface amid increasing lunar missions.
- NASA and other agencies emphasize the need for controlled disposal trajectories for rocket stages to prevent accidental impacts, especially as plans for a permanent lunar base and increased lunar traffic progress.
- Space debris is a growing issue in Earth orbit due to the rise of commercial satellite constellations like SpaceX's Starlink, complicating space traffic management and increasing collision risks.
- Various concepts to mitigate space junk, such as nets and electromagnets, remain unimplemented, while incidents of debris re-entering Earth's atmosphere and landing unpredictably pose potential risks to people and property.