South Korean Satellite Reveals Spacex Rocket's Moon Crash Site

WHO:

AP News - Korean space officials stated that Danuri gathered before and after shots of the crash site.

AP News - The Korea Aerospace Research Institute operates the Danuri spacecraft.

AP News - Elon Musk’s SpaceX launched the Danuri spacecraft.

WHAT:

Engadget - NASA believes the crater left by the rocket is around 60 feet wide.

AP News - The Danuri spacecraft's images show a new crater on the moon's surface created by the Falcon 9 upper stage crash.

AP News - The Danuri spacecraft captured images of the moon's surface before and after the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket segment crashed, marking the first time a lunar orbiter successfully documented the crash site.

AP News - The impact created a noticeable darker area on the moon's surface and carved out a crater.

AP News - The Falcon 9 upper stage was launched in 2022, and it was the upper stage from that launch that crashed into the moon.

Mashable - The Danuri spacecraft captured images of the moon's surface before and after the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket segment crashed, marking the first time a lunar orbiter successfully documented the crash site.

AP News - The Danuri spacecraft captured images of the moon's surface before and after the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket segment crashed.

AP News - The Falcon 9 upper stage collided with the moon at a speed of 5,400 mph (8,700 kph).

AP News - The impact created a noticeable darker area on the moon's surface and carved out a crater.

WHERE:

AP News - The crash site is located on the moon.

WHEN:

AP News - NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is expected to fly over the crash site next week to view the aftermath.

AP News - The Falcon 9 upper stage crashed into the moon on August 5, 2026.

AP News - NASA expects its Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to fly over the crash site the week following the incident.

AP News - The Falcon 9 upper stage crashed into the moon on August 5, 2026.

AP News - NASA expects its Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to fly over the crash site the week following the incident.

WHY:

AP News - The Falcon 9 upper stage was placed on an accidental collision course due to solar activity and gravity.

HOW:

AP News - Danuri made multiple passes over the impact site, gathering images that show the terrain is noticeably darker where the rocket hit and carved out a crater, sending dust and rock everywhere.

AP News - The Danuri spacecraft made multiple passes over the impact site to capture images from lunar orbit.

(UPDATED August 7, 2026 18:39 UTC)

NASA has reported that the crater left by the rocket measures approximately 60 feet wide. This finding comes from their ongoing analysis of the impact site. The agency continues to study the implications of this event for future missions.

(UPDATED August 7, 2026 15:48 UTC)

NASA's Danuri spacecraft has captured images revealing a new crater on the moon's surface, formed by the crash of the Falcon 9 upper stage. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is set to fly over the crash site next week to assess the aftermath of this event. This upcoming mission will provide valuable insights into the impact and its effects on the lunar landscape.

(UPDATED August 7, 2026 11:42 UTC)

The Danuri spacecraft has made history by capturing images of the moon's surface before and after the Falcon 9 rocket segment crashed, marking the first time a lunar orbiter has documented a crash site. The impact, which occurred on August 5, 2026, created a noticeable darker area and carved out a crater on the moon's surface. This collision was caused by the Falcon 9 upper stage being placed on an accidental collision course due to solar activity and gravity.

(UPDATED August 7, 2026 07:03 UTC)

Korean space officials have announced that Danuri captured images of the crash site both before and after the incident involving the Falcon 9 upper stage, which was launched in 2022 and subsequently crashed into the moon. NASA is set to have its Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter fly over the crash site the week of August 14, 2026. This event marks a significant moment in lunar exploration as officials analyze the impact and gather data from the site.

(UPDATED August 7, 2026 03:54 UTC)

The Danuri spacecraft has made history by capturing images of the moon's surface before and after the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket segment crashed, marking the first time a lunar orbiter has successfully documented a crash site. During its multiple passes over the impact area, Danuri gathered images revealing that the terrain is noticeably darker where the rocket struck, creating a crater and sending dust and rock scattering. This groundbreaking observation provides valuable insights into the effects of such impacts on the lunar surface.

(UPDATED August 7, 2026 00:53 UTC)

The Danuri spacecraft, operated by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and launched by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, recently captured images of the moon's surface before and after the Falcon 9 upper stage crashed into it at a staggering speed of 5,400 miles per hour. This collision, which occurred on August 5, 2026, created a noticeable darker area and carved out a crater on the lunar surface. NASA anticipates that its Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter will fly over the crash site the week following the incident to gather more data.