NASA orbiter images reveal SpaceX rocket’s moon impact crater

Lunar rays distinguish old surface material from freshly exposed rock and soil

NASA released before-and-after photographs of the impact area on Tuesday. Images from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter provide the sharpest views yet of the crater left by the rocket collision.

The Falcon rocket’s upper stage had drifted through space for more than a year before striking the moon. The impact occurred on Aug. 5 at 5,400 mph (8,700 kph).

The upper stage launched in 2025 carrying a pair of private lunar landers, experiments and a tiny rover. The mission was part of NASA’s effort to commercialize lunar exploration.

Scientists estimate that the resulting crater is 60 feet (18 meters) across and less than 10 feet (3 meters) deep. The measurements are based on the new Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter photographs.

Dark and bright streaks extend from the crater in a pattern resembling butterfly wings. The contrasting rays reveal material distributed from different depths during the impact.

The darker lines mark material that had been close to the lunar surface. Scientists said solar wind, cosmic rays and micrometeorite strikes shaped that material over eons.

The brighter rays indicate fresh rocks and dirt hurled from farther below the surface. Together, the light and dark patterns distinguish older surface deposits from material excavated by the collision.

MSI previously reported that the Falcon 9 upper stage was believed to have struck the moon on Aug. 5 and that NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter was expected to photograph the site. The new images provide that before-and-after comparison and show the resulting crater at an estimated 60 feet across and less than 10 feet deep.