NASA has released images showing a new crater on the Moon created by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket booster that slammed into the surface [1, 2].
The intentional impact provides critical data for future lunar-landing missions and helps researchers understand how to mitigate space-debris risks. By simulating a controlled crash, SpaceX and NASA can better predict the results of high-velocity lunar collisions.
The event occurred early Wednesday, March 30, 2024 [2, 6]. The booster, which measured 45 feet long and 12 feet wide with a mass of 8,800 pounds [2], targeted a region near the lunar south pole [2, 3]. NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter captured the site before and after the collision to verify the results [1, 2].
According to the NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter team, the impact created a crater roughly 60 feet wide and up to 16 feet deep [1]. The images confirm the physical changes to the lunar landscape caused by the booster's descent [4].
SpaceX said the move was part of a broader effort to develop capabilities for upcoming missions. "We’re excited to see the results of this test as we continue to develop capabilities for future lunar missions," a SpaceX spokesperson said [1].
The use of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter allowed for precise verification of the impact site. A reporter from Stuff NZ said the before-and-after images clearly show a fresh crater where the booster hit, confirming the impact [4].
“"The impact created a crater roughly 60 feet (18 meters) wide and up to 16 feet (5 meters) deep."”
This test demonstrates a shift toward using decommissioned hardware to gather empirical data on lunar surface interaction. By intentionally crashing a known mass into the south pole—a region of high interest for future permanent bases due to suspected ice deposits—NASA and SpaceX are refining the precision and safety protocols required for the next generation of manned lunar landings.
