NASA's LRO Captures Crater from Falcon 9 Rocket Impact on the Moon

NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has successfully captured images of a new crater formed by the impact of a Falcon 9 rocket upper stage on the Moon’s surface. The imaging provides new scientific detail and insights for researchers.

Based on image data captured by the LRO camera (LROC) six days after the impact, the crater is estimated to be approximately 18 metres (60 feet) wide and less than 3 metres (10 feet) deep. The images were obtained as LRO passed over the impact site during its routine orbit around the Moon.

Before-and-after observations show a distinctive V-shaped ejecta pattern on the southern side of the crater. This pattern is considered consistent with the impact of a natural or artificial object striking the lunar surface at a low angle.

LRO imaging was carried out in stages every 117 minutes, matching the time required for one orbit of the spacecraft around the Moon. The series of photos from the Narrow Angle Camera precisely recorded changes in the physical structure of the lunar soil before and after the impact.

The research team leading the LROC camera observations said the finding provides a rare opportunity to study the dynamics of high-velocity impacts on the lunar surface. The new crater also offers valuable data on how subsurface lunar material is ejected during an impact.

Since its launch, NASA’s LRO has continuously monitored and mapped the lunar surface in detail. Monitoring of new craters, whether formed by natural meteoroid impacts or remnants of human-made objects, continues to support scientific understanding and preparations for future space exploration missions.