India, Aug. 4 -- A discarded upper stage of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket is expected to collide with the Moon on August 5 in what researchers describe as a rare scientific event rather than a planetary threat. Although the impact is accidental, researchers will be able to see how a human-made object acts when it crash-lands on the Moon. The upper stage of the rocket has been moving in space since its mission in January 2025 and is expected to hit the Moon at a speed of 8,700 kilometres per hour.

Why Is This Lunar Impact Drawing So Much Attention?

Unlike natural meteorite strikes, this collision involves a hollow rocket stage. Scientists believe its structure will create a different pattern of debris and dust compared to a solid space rock. ...