一枚SpaceX已废弃的火箭上面级即将以时速5400英里（8700公里）的极高速度撞击月球[1]。这枚火箭曾于2025年1月15日搭载Firefly Aerospace的Blue Ghost月球着陆器和日本ispace的月球着陆器发射[1]。撞击将发生在月球向阳面西侧的爱因斯坦陨石坑附近[1]，撞击速度相当于音速的7倍[1]。
火箭撞击月球将释放相当于3吨TNT炸药的能量[1]，预计形成直径约90英尺（27米）、深度约16英尺（5米）的撞击坑[1]。这枚火箭长度约40英尺（12米），重约10000英镑（4500公斤）[1]。此次事件将成为第二个已知意外撞击月球的废弃火箭[1]。
科学家计划通过NASA的月球勘测轨道器和韩国Danuri月球轨道器拍摄撞击前后的对比照片，以观测撞击产生的尘埃喷流和陨石坑形成情况[1]。这些观测将有助于评估碎片撞击对未来月面活动的潜在危害[1]。由于月球引力低且无大气，尘埃难以被吹散[1]，突显了监测此类撞击的重要性。
A spent SpaceX rocket upper stage is on track to collide with the moon on Wednesday at approximately 5,400 miles per hour (8,700 kilometers per hour), roughly seven times the speed of sound.[1] The impact will occur near Einstein Crater on the lunar nearside, creating an estimated crater roughly 90 feet (27 meters) in diameter and 16 feet (5 meters) deep with an energy equivalent to 3 tons of TNT.[1] The rocket, which measures about 40 feet (12 meters) long and weighs approximately 10,000 pounds (4,500 kilograms), was launched on January 15, 2025, carrying two private lunar landers from Firefly Aerospace and Japanese company ispace.[1] This will mark the second known unintended collision of a discarded rocket with the moon.[1]
Scientists plan to observe the impact's debris plume and crater formation to assess risks posed by orbital debris to future lunar operations.[1] NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and South Korea's Danuri lunar orbiter will capture comparative imagery before and after the strike.[1] The incident underscores growing concerns about space congestion, while researchers note that the moon's low gravity and lack of wind mean ejected dust will not be dispersed.[1]