SpaceX rocket slams into the Moon – what we know
- An out-of-control SpaceX rocket, part of a Falcon 9 spacecraft, has collided with the Moon, hitting with the power of three tons of TNT and creating a new crater.
- The 4,000-kilogram upper stage was on a trajectory towards the Moon due to a combination of solar activity and gravitational forces after its mission, and could not change course as it had dumped all its fuel.
- Scientists are keen to study the impact to better understand how collisions affect the Moon and the potential risks for future lunar missions and astronauts.
- The incident highlights growing concerns among experts about the increasing amount of space debris and the potential dangers it poses, such as colliding with important satellites.
- SpaceX and Nasa are discussing methods to prevent future lunar impacts, especially as Nasa plans to establish a lunar base and send routine astronaut missions to the Moon.
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