NASA reveals crater created by Falcon 9 rocket impact on the Moon

NASA has published images of a new crater on the Moon. The crater appeared after the upper stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket crashed into the lunar surface.

The impact happened on August 5, 2026. Scientists studied the area and confirmed that the formation was created by a human-made object.

The new lunar crater measures about 18 meters (60 feet) across. Its depth reaches approximately 3 meters (10 feet).

NASA researchers examined the impact site using images taken from different angles. Different lighting conditions helped scientists identify the shape and structure of the fresh crater.

The rocket stage came from a Falcon 9 mission launched in January 2025. The rocket delivered two commercial lunar landers before the upper stage continued drifting in space.

After completing its main task, the rocket stage lost fuel. Its orbit became unstable. The Moon’s gravity eventually pulled the object toward the surface.

The collision created a rare example of an artificial impact crater on the Moon. Unlike Earth, the lunar surface has no atmosphere to slow down falling objects.

NASA scientists believe the new crater can provide important information about lunar soil. Fresh impact sites help researchers understand how materials react when objects hit the Moon at high speed.

The images also show bright and dark streaks around the impact area. These marks were created by lunar dust and rocks thrown outward after the collision.

The discovery is important because lunar activity is increasing. More countries and private companies are preparing missions to Earth’s natural satellite.

Tracking old spacecraft parts and rocket stages is becoming a growing challenge. Future lunar missions will require better monitoring of objects left in space.

The Falcon 9 rocket impact on the Moon became a rare scientific event. Researchers now have a new opportunity to study how human technology changes the lunar landscape.

It was previously reported that archival NASA audio recordings from the Apollo 16 mission from 1972 sparked controversy after they were released. During a secret NASA meeting in 1972, scientists mentioned a possible alien base on the Moon.