The first images of the lunar crater left by a SpaceX rocket fragment have been captured by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute using its Danuri orbiter. South Korea is among the few nations currently operating satellites around the Moon, travelling at an altitude of 62 miles (100 kilometres) above the surface. Danuri passed over the affected region shortly after the impact took place.
The institute photographed the collision site both before and after the event. The resulting images show signs of a recent impact, which astronomers had projected would likely form a crater dozens of feet wide and nearly 12 feet (3.6 metres) deep. The photographs also convey how small the feature is relative to the vastness of the lunar surface, given that the Moon measures roughly 2,160 miles in diameter.
Further evidence came from the Very Large Telescope, where astronomers detected sodium and lithium rising from the lunar surface, confirming that the rocket fragment had indeed struck the Moon. Astronomers had predicted well in advance when and where the Falcon 9 impact would occur, and there were indications it might be visible with sufficiently powerful equipment. Days before the collision, however, space agencies including NASA cautioned that observing the moment of impact would be difficult owing to weather conditions and timing.
NASA also operates lunar orbiters, and it is possible that higher-resolution images of the impact area will become available in the coming days, following a series of data checks. Even so, obtaining a granular view of the crater remains unlikely.
Why the Rocket Crashed Into the Moon
The Falcon 9 fragment made a crash landing after spending more than a year in an unstable orbit. The rocket launched in January 2025, completing its mission to deliver lunar landers. Over the following months, the combined gravity of the Earth, the Moon and the Sun gradually altered its orbital path until it eventually struck the lunar surface.
SpaceX explained that most of its missions are planned for a controlled deorbiting of the Falcon second stage, allowing it to re-enter safely over the ocean. In higher-energy missions, such as those heading to a lunar transfer orbit, nearly all of the vehicle’s performance is dedicated to placing the payload into the intended orbit, meaning a controlled deorbiting manoeuvre is not always possible.
Working Towards Safer Disposal
The company said it is actively working to be as responsible as possible with hardware left in space and to ensure space safety, even on more complex missions. In this instance, solar activity and gravity gradually deflected the second stage towards the Moon over time. Such impacts are rare but can occur with objects in these types of orbits.
SpaceX added that it is collaborating with NASA to identify the optimal disposal solution for hardware placed into higher-energy trajectories.
