一枚SpaceX火箭上面级将于本周三以5400英里/小时的速度与月球相撞[1]，撞击地点位于月球向阳面西侧的爱因斯坦陨石坑附近[1]。这次碰撞的能量相当于3吨TNT炸药[1]，预计将在月球表面形成直径约27米、深度约5米的撞击坑[1]。
这是已知第二枚意外坠入月球的火箭[1]。科学家计划通过观测撞击产生的碎片和尘埃来研究其危害[1]。研究人员指出，"我们对这一事件感兴趣的部分原因是要弄清碎片撞击对未来宇航员构成多大的威胁"[1]。此前，中国火箭段在2022年于月球背面撞出了两个陨石坑[1]。
A SpaceX rocket upper stage is on a collision course with the moon, expected to strike early Wednesday at a velocity of 5,400 miles per hour near the Einstein crater on the moon's near side [1]. The impact will occur at approximately seven times the speed of sound and release energy equivalent to 3 tons of TNT, creating an impact crater estimated to be roughly 90 feet in diameter and 16 feet deep [1].
This will mark the second known instance of a rocket stage accidentally crashing into the lunar surface [1]. Scientists are preparing to observe the collision and analyze the resulting debris and dust clouds. Benjamin Fernando noted that "part of the reason for our interest in this event is to figure out how much of a hazard debris impacts pose to future astronauts" [1]. The event underscores growing congestion in space, as Bill Gray observed that "things are getting crowded up there" [1]. A Chinese rocket segment previously created two craters on the far side of the moon in 2022 [1].