SpaceX upper stage to crash into the Moon, possibly creating a fleeting Earth-visible plume
TL;DR
A discarded SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage (about 8,000 pounds) is on a collision course with the Moon, hitting near Einstein Crater around 2:35 a.m. EDT on Aug. 5, 2026. The impact itself is unlikely to be visible from Earth, but a brief ejecta plume could rise above the lunar surface and be detectable with large telescopes under favorable conditions. South American observers may have an easier viewing angle, while Danuri in lunar orbit and NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter will observe and photograph the site to study crater formation and debris hazards.
- A 9,000-pound SpaceX rocket will crash into the moon tonight. Will you be able to see it? Space
- New crater likely to form after SpaceX rocket slams into the moon CNN
- A SpaceX Rocket Will Soon Crash Into the Moon The New York Times
- NASA, SpaceX studying how to prevent future upper stage lunar collisions SpaceNews
- What will happen when a SpaceX rocket collides with the Moon? BBC
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