SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Crash on Moon Documented by South Korean Orbiter
A piece of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket crashed into the moon on August 5, 2026, creating a new crater near the Einstein crater. The upper-stage of the rocket, weighing 8,800 pounds, was traveling at approximately 5,400 mph when it impacted the lunar surface. This event was predicted by independent astronomer Bill Gray, who used ground telescope observations to calculate the impact. The Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter, known as Danuri, captured images of the crash site, showing changes in the terrain and traces of ejecta spread. NASA is also attempting to locate the crash site using its Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. The crash is part of a historical context of spacecraft impacts on the moon, including NASA's intentional crashes for scientific purposes. 
