Billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX is about to send a piece of equipment to the moon, but it’s not the way they planned. A part of a Falcon 9 rocket, which has been circling the Earth, is set to crash into the moon sooner than expected.
Both SpaceX and NASA have shown a keen interest in the moon. They’re working together on a lunar lander that astronauts will use to land on the moon. There’s also Musk’s dream of creating a city there.
Interestingly, it won’t be their new Starship that’s going to the moon first. Instead, it’ll be this old Falcon 9 part. An independent astronomer used tracking software to predict when and where this crash will happen.
Bill Gray, who tracks space objects, noted that this Falcon 9 piece has been in orbit since January 2025. He suggests it will impact the near side of the moon on August 5. Unlike Earth, the moon lacks an atmosphere, so the rocket piece won’t burn up when it hits. It’s projected to slam into the surface at around 5,400 mph.
The Falcon 9 is an essential rocket for SpaceX, known for its reliability. It stands about 230 feet tall and can carry a hefty load into space. SpaceX has launched this rocket hundreds of times, mainly to deliver satellites.
Gray also points out that this Falcon 9 segment is from the same rocket that launched the Firefly Aerospace lunar lander in January 2025. This lander, called Blue Ghost, made history by being part of a mission to the moon last year.
While skywatchers might want to see this lunar crash, Gray warns it won’t be visible from Earth. Fortunately, there’s no need to worry about danger from this collision; it won’t significantly damage the moon’s surface. However, it serves as a reminder of the growing issue of space debris.
As we venture closer to space, experts urge more responsible practices to prevent creating more space junk. Understanding the future of space operations involves balancing innovation with sustainability. It’s a conversation that’s heating up among scientists and policymakers alike.
For further details, you can follow the developments on USA Today and learn about SpaceX’s ventures.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to crash into Earth-facing side of moon.
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