SpaceX Rocket Stage Heads for Moon | Baton Rouge News

A SpaceX rocket stage, drifting in space for over a year, is set to crash onto the Moon around 1:35 AM Wednesday, creating a new crater and kicking up dust that could be visible through powerful telescopes. Originally meant to launch lunar landers in January 2025, this 10,000-pound piece of debris wasn’t supposed to end up here — a minor course correction might have sent it safely into solar orbit instead. Scientists are eager to study the impact, as the Moon’s low gravity traps dust for long periods, posing potential hazards for future missions. NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and South Korea’s Danuri orbiter will capture before-and-after images, with Danuri flying just two miles away moments before impact. This isn’t the first time human-made junk has struck the Moon — China’s 2022 crash left craters on the far side — but as lunar activity surges, understanding how to manage space debris becomes critical for safe exploration. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/13bc9e6d4114659f