SpaceX rocket debris to crash into the Moon on the 5th at 7 times the speed of sound... Joint observation by NASA and Danuri

A spent SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage, drifting in space for months, is expected to hit the Moon’s surface.

The impact is forecast for 3:34 p.m. KST on the 5th, with NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and Korea’s Danuri spacecraft observing before and after.

Researchers estimate the collision energy at about 3 tons of TNT and plan to analyze ejecta and the new crater.

The event is a rare case of private-space debris striking the Moon and could inform future lunar exploration safety assessments.