First Images of the Crater Left on the Moon by SpaceX’s Rocket
Korea Aerospace Research Institute captures the impact of Falcon 9 on the lunar surface.
1First Images Released
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) has released the first images of the crater left by SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket on the moon's surface. The Danuri lunar orbiter captured the impact site both before and after the collision. The images show a crater approximately 3.6 meters deep and several cars wide.
2Impact Was Predicted
Astronomers had predicted the date and location of Falcon 9's impact on the moon in advance. However, agencies like NASA warned that observing the collision moment would be difficult due to weather conditions and timing. Post-impact, traces of sodium and lithium were detected.
3A Small Crater Compared to the Moon's Vastness
The new images highlight how small the crater is compared to the moon's vast surface. With the moon's diameter being about 2,160 miles, the crater's size becomes even more significant. The Danuri satellite captured high-resolution images of the impact area.
4The Rocket's History
The Falcon 9 rocket was launched in January 2025 and completed its mission of delivering lunar landers. However, the rocket's second stage remained in an unstable orbit for over a year. Gradually, the gravitational forces of Earth, the moon, and the sun pulled it toward the lunar surface.
5SpaceX's Statement
SpaceX explained that the Falcon 9's second stage is usually controlled to fall into the ocean. However, this isn't always possible for high-energy missions like lunar transfer orbits. The company is collaborating with NASA to responsibly manage hardware left in space.
6The Issue of Space Debris
Such collisions, though rare, can occur with objects in unstable orbits. SpaceX and NASA are working on solutions to optimally dispose of space debris. This incident has once again brought attention to the challenges of space safety.
7Role of the Danuri Satellite
South Korea's Danuri satellite orbits the moon at an altitude of about 100 kilometers. The satellite captured multiple images of the impact site, providing valuable data to scientists. These images serve as an important resource for space research.
8Challenges in Space Exploration
This event highlights the technical and logistical challenges of space exploration. Controlled disposal of rockets is a complex process, especially for distant targets. Organizations like SpaceX and NASA are continuously working to address such issues.
Original article: Wired — SpaceX Roketinin Ay'da Bıraktığı Kraterin İlk Görüntüleri