South Korean Lunar Orbiter Captures SpaceX Rocket Debris Impact on Moon

POLICY WIRE — Seoul, South Korea — South Korea’s lunar orbiter has captured images of the Moon both before and after a fragment of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket impacted its surface on Wednesday. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) released the images, providing a rare glimpse of the immediate aftermath of such an event.

The debris, part of a Falcon 9 rocket launched in 2015, collided with the Moon at approximately 9,000 km/h, creating a new crater. KARI’s Danuri orbiter, which has been in lunar orbit since December 2022, was able to photograph the site of the impact.

The images show a distinct change in the lunar surface, with the new crater visible in the post-impact photograph. Scientists are analyzing the data to understand the effects of such impacts on the Moon’s surface and the potential hazards posed by space debris.

SpaceX hasn’t issued a statement regarding the incident. However, the impact highlights the growing concern over orbital debris and its long-term effects on space missions and celestial bodies.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)