NASA has released new images of the lunar surface capturing the crater formed after the impact of the second stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
The impact occurred on August 5, 2026. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) captured images between August 11 and 12, revealing a fresh impact site 18 meters in diameter and approximately 3 meters deep.
The photographs show not only the crater itself but also radial streaks of ejected lunar soil. A comparison with earlier images allows for a clear view of the changes.
The stage had been in an unstable orbit since its launch in January 2025, when the rocket delivered two commercial landers to the Moon. Under the influence of lunar gravity, it eventually crashed onto the surface.
The impact site is located near the Einstein crater. Scientists note that the variety of viewing angles helped study the crater's features under different lighting conditions.
What does this suggest about the future of space debris in lunar orbit?
The publication of these images provides new data for analyzing the consequences of such incidents and helps to better understand the dynamics of the cislunar environment.
