Security· August 19, 2026 at 06:15 a.m.
NASA Estimates Size of Crater Created by SpaceX's Falcon 9 on Moon
Key takeaways
- SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage collided with the moon
- NASA estimated crater size at 60 feet wide and 10 feet deep
- Impact site shows signs of solar wind, cosmic rays, and micrometeorite impacts
SpaceX's Falcon 9 upper stage, launched for a lunar mission in August 2025, collided with the moon. NASA used its Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) to capture images of the impact site, revealing a crater approximately 60 feet wide and 10 feet deep. The darker area around the crater is believed to be altered by solar wind, cosmic rays, and micrometeorite impacts over time. A fresher material excavated from deeper below the surface is visible in the lower-right image. SpaceX's Starship used in its 13th test flight has been towed to Christmas Island for post-flight analysis.
