Story perspectives

Abandoned Falcon 9 Stage to Crater Moon, Aid Impact Studies

7/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

The abandoned Falcon 9 upper stage will strike the Moon near Einstein crater on 5 August 2026 at 06:35 UTC.
The 4,000-kg stage will impact at about 8,750 km/h, releasing 11.8 GJ of energy and creating a 20–30-meter crater with a 70-meter ejecta blanket.
Scientists will use the flash and plume to study lunar regolith composition.
Steven A. Hauck says the event will help calibrate asteroid-impact flash measurements and underscores calls for a lunar activity registry.

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Story summary

The abandoned Falcon 9 upper stage will strike the Moon near Einstein crater on 5 August 2026 at 06:35 UTC.
The 4,000-kg stage will impact at about 8,750 km/h, releasing 11.8 GJ of energy and creating a 20–30-meter crater with a 70-meter ejecta blanket.
Scientists will use the flash and plume to study lunar regolith composition.
Steven A. Hauck says the event will help calibrate asteroid-impact flash measurements and underscores calls for a lunar activity registry.