SpaceX Rocket on Collision Course with Moon; Company Reports Losses but Exceeds Revenue Expectations

A discarded SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket booster is on an unplanned collision course with the Moon, expected to impact early Wednesday, August 5, 2026. The 8,800-pound upper stage, which launched two lunar landers in January 2025, has been tracked since it deviated from its expected trajectory due to solar activity and gravitational forces. Scientists anticipate the 5,400 mph impact near the Einstein Crater will create a crater up to 100 feet wide and 16 feet deep, equivalent to 2.8 tons of TNT, offering a rare scientific opportunity despite being unlikely to be visible from Earth. Spacecraft, including NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, are poised to capture before-and-after images of the impact site.

Meanwhile, SpaceX crews are engaged in a recovery operation for their Starship prototype, "Ship 40," which is currently floating in the Indian Ocean. This unprecedented recovery follows the company's 13th test flight on July 24, 2026, where the Starship successfully executed a soft landing and remained intact, unlike previous attempts that resulted in explosions or sinking. The successful landing marks a significant milestone in SpaceX's pursuit of fully reusable spacecraft, with the company's CEO, Elon Musk, confirming the effort to retrieve the 170-foot-long vehicle.