SpaceX rocket to crash into the Moon: Earthlings can observe the rare collision

The upper stage of a Falcon 9 rocket from SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, will collide with the lunar surface on August 5th of this year. This event is a significant milestone not only for astronomers but also for space enthusiasts, as the resulting impact processes can be observed using powerful telescopes from Earth. This is reported by news source.

According to the Ixbt.com publication, the collision is expected to occur around 11:35 Tashkent time. The rocket fragment is projected to land near the Einstein crater on the visible side of the Moon. This provides favorable conditions for observers in North and South America to record this unique moment.

This object, designated 2025-010D, is a part of the Falcon 9 rocket launched into space on January 15, 2025. At that time, the rocket carried the Blue Ghost and Hakuto-R landers to the Moon. Having completed its mission, the upper stage remained in space, gradually approached the lunar orbit, and it is now confirmed that it will crash onto the surface.

Details and scientific significance of the collision

This metal structure, roughly the size of a five-story building, will strike the lunar surface at a speed of approximately 2.43 km/s. Scientists estimate the impact will occur at a 34-degree angle. The collision is expected to create a new crater on the Moon with a diameter of nearly 17 meters.

This event is not merely an accidental crash but a source of valuable scientific data. The massive dust cloud raised during the impact will help experts study the interaction of artificial objects with lunar soil (regolith). This will be useful for developing safety measures for future lunar missions and base construction.

At the same time, this incident has once again brought the issue of space debris to the international agenda. Due to the increased activity of private companies like SpaceX, the number of uncontrolled objects in Earth's orbit and surrounding space is growing. Experts are concerned that an increase in such collisions could pose a threat to future crewed spacecraft.