A discarded section of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket is expected to slam into the Moon at high speed early today, creating an impact believed to be equivalent to the explosive force of around three tonnes of TNT.
The rocket stage, which has been drifting through space after completing its mission, is on a collision course with the Moon after years in orbit.
Scientists say the impact will carve out a new crater on the lunar surface. However, because the collision is expected to occur on the far side of the Moon, it is unlikely to be visible from Earth in real time.
While the event poses no danger to Earth, it has renewed discussions among scientists about the growing problem of space debris and the long-term management of objects left in deep space after missions are completed.
The collision is expected to provide researchers with a rare opportunity to study the effects of high-speed impacts on the Moon and gather valuable data on its surface composition.
