NASA Releases Images of Crater Carved by SpaceX Rocket That Slammed Into the Moon

NASA has officially released striking before-and-after images showcasing the lunar crater formed by the unintentional impact of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket upper stage. The space agency's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) captured these detailed views between August 11 and 12, following the August 5, 2026, collision. The Falcon 9 booster had been adrift in space for over a year after launching the Firefly Blue Ghost 1 mission in January 2025.

The newly formed crater measures approximately 60 feet (18 meters) across and is less than 10 feet (3 meters) deep. Images reveal distinct dark and bright streaks emanating from the impact site, resembling butterfly wings. These streaks are indicative of excavated material, with darker lines showing surface material altered by solar wind and cosmic rays over time, while brighter rays indicate freshly exposed rock and dirt from deeper below.

The abandoned SpaceX rocket stage impacted the lunar surface at an estimated speed of 5,400 mph (8,700 kph). This event marks only the second known unintentional human-made lunar impact. Scientists are utilizing observations from missions like LRO and South Korea's Danuri spacecraft to study lunar impacts and the dynamics of space debris.