NewsSNN NewsJuly 31, 2026Manatee County
SpaceX rocket upper stage to impact the moon
Photo: SNN News
A discarded SpaceX rocket upper stage is on a collision course with the moon and is expected to impact the lunar surface on Wednesday. The collision will create a new crater and displace lunar dust and debris.
Read the full story at SNN NewsWhy It Matters
The impact provides a rare opportunity for scientists to observe subsurface lunar material exposed by the cratering event.
Key Facts
- A SpaceX rocket upper stage is scheduled to collide with the moon on Wednesday.
- The rocket was originally launched over a year ago to deploy a pair of lunar landers.
- The impact is expected to create a crater on the lunar surface.
- The collision will displace a plume of lunar dust and rubble.
- The event is expected to be observable by scientists and skygazers.
Who's Mentioned
PersonElon Musk“Founder of SpaceX.”OrganizationNASA“The U.S. space agency monitoring the event with the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter”PersonBenjamin Fernando“Scientist from Los Alamos National Laboratory studying the impact.”Organizationispace“Japan-based company whose lunar lander wrecked during the mission.”PersonBill Gray“Space tracking expert who predicted the impact speed and location.”OrganizationFirefly Aerospace“Company that successfully landed the Blue Ghost spacecraft.”OrganizationSpaceX“The company that launched the rocket stage currently on a collision course with ”PersonJeff Bezos“Founder of Blue Origin, a competitor in lunar lander development.”