Inactive stage of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will collide with the Moon and open a new crater
An upper stage of a Falcon 9 rocket, from the company SpaceX, is on a collision course with the Moon. The impact is expected to occur on August 5, 2026, at 3:35 am (Brasília time), on the illuminated side of the natural satellite. The high speed of the strike should generate a new crater, in addition to launching a dense cloud of debris and dust into space.
Falcon 9 rocket trajectory details
This specific stage was released into space on January 15, 2025. On that occasion, the Falcon 9’s mission was to transport the Blue Ghost-1 landing module to the Moon. This module carried NASA’s scientific and technological instruments to the lunar surface.
More on this story: SpaceX rocket collides with the Moon in an event monitored by NASA, which eliminates risks to Earth
Collision is not the first recorded on the Moon
This incident represents the second documented impact of an inoperative rocket with the Moon. Previously, in 2022, a Chinese vehicle also collided with the satellite, resulting in the formation of two distinct craters on its far side. The repetition of these events generates valuable data for understanding the interaction of space objects with celestial bodies.
Impact research and simulations
Despite the difficulty of directly observing the flash, which will be very fast, international researchers have already carried out extensive computer simulations. Based on the laws of physics, these projections demonstrate that the impact will create a considerable “cloud” of dust, rocks and other debris. The force of the collision is expected to continually expel material upward.
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Expectation of visibility and scientific study
The conclusion about the possibility of a visible glow was reinforced by a new study. Led by researcher William Jo, from the University of Texas, in the United States, the results were published in pre-print version on arXiv on July 27, 2026. The plume resulting from the collision is estimated to reach an altitude between 75 and 100 kilometers. This increases the likelihood that the stream of ejecta will be visible to telescopes on Earth for a few minutes.
The importance of the event for future lunar missions
Observing an event like this offers a unique opportunity for scientific exploration. “This event gives us a rare opportunity to explore the science of ejection plumes – a jet of material launched into space after an impact – and calibrate these models based on a real event, which is important for everything we send to the Moon in the future,” said Jo. This analysis is crucial for refining the models and safety of future space missions aimed at the satellite.
