Source: Fortune
Summary
A SpaceX rocket is on a collision course with the moon after launching a pair of lunar landers over a year ago. The rocket’s upper stage will unintentionally slam into the moon’s sunlit western limb on Wednesday, creating a crater and sending up a plume of dust and rubble. Scientists are eager to observe the impact, which will be the second dead rocket known to crash into the moon accidentally. The incident highlights the growing threat of space junk in orbit.
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SpaceX’s rocket is about to create a new crater on the moon, and scientists are excited to observe the impact. Bill Gray predicts an impact of 5,400 mph (8,700 kph), and the eastern portions of the U.S. and Canada, and much of South America should have the best views. The crash will be the second dead rocket known to crash into the moon accidentally, and it highlights the growing threat of space junk in orbit.
The moon is becoming a crowded place, with the U.S. and China racing to land astronauts in the next few years. SpaceX and Blue Origin are vying to provide the lander for NASA’s yet-to-be-named moonwalkers of Artemis IV. This impact will not be a problem, but in a future where there are long-term bases on the moon, similar impacts would be an issue.
The strategy enters a familiar phase.
As the moon becomes a new travel hot spot, scientists say it’s crucial to improve debris monitoring and traffic control before packs of robots and astronauts arrive. The impact will be a valuable opportunity for scientists to learn more about the moon’s surface and the effects of space debris.
Author: Evan Null
