- By Vaidika Thapa
- Sat, 01 Aug 2026 08:14 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
- Defunct SpaceX rocket stage to accidentally crash into Moon.
- Impact near Einstein Crater at 5,400 mph speed.
- Event highlights growing problem of space debris in orbit.
A SpaceX rocket that has been drifting through space for more than a year is expected to crash into the Moon on Wednesday, August. The impact is said to be accidental and was not part of SpaceX’s plan. The rocket stage, left behind after launching two lunar landers, will hit the Moon’s surface and create a crater.
Rocket To Hit Moon At High Speed
According to reports, the collision will send dust and debris into space, giving scientists a chance to study the effects. Space tracking analyst Bill Gray says that the rocket stage will hit the Moon at around 5,400 mph (8,700 kph), which is nearly seven times the speed of sound. The impact is expected near Einstein Crater on the Moon’s sunlit western side.
Observers in parts of the eastern United States, Canada, and much of South America may have the best chance to see the impact. The actual impact flash will last less than a second and may be too faint to see. However, the dust and debris thrown into space could spread for several miles and remain visible through telescopes for several minutes, according to a report by AP.
💥 🌑 A rather interesting event is set to take place on August 5—one that might even be visible through telescopes: the second stage of a Falcon 9 rocket will crash into the Moon.
— Black Hole (@konstructivizm) August 1, 2026
As a reminder, the stage has been in space since January 2025, when it was used in the launch… pic.twitter.com/MKxbLGTQzF
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Scientists Warn About Growing Space Debris
While scientists are not much worried about this particular crash, they emphasise that the incident highlights the growing problem of space debris. “Things are getting crowded up there," said Gray, who plans to observe the aftermath from New Brunswick, Canada. Some experts said the rocket stage could have been sent into orbit around the Sun instead of allowing it to hit the Moon.
Second Accidental Rocket Crash
The SpaceX rocket impact will be only the second known case of a defunct rocket accidentally crashing into the Moon. Earlier in 2022, a piece of a Chinese rocket had hit the far side of the Moon and created two craters.
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