Scientists are certain a wayward SpaceX rocket slammed into the moon as predicted
- Scientists are certain that a SpaceX rocket has slammed into the moon as predicted.
- The rocket segment crashed at a speed of 5,400 mph after drifting off course for the past year.
- A telescope in Chile detected a debris plume resulting from the crash.
- SpaceX is working with NASA to avoid future collisions, emphasizing that this crash was not deliberate.
- The anticipated crash site was near Einstein Crater on the moon.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A SpaceX rocket that launched a pair of lunar landers slammed into the moon as predicted on Wednesday after drifting off course for the past year, scientists reported.
Although no one observed the actual 5,400-mph (8,700-kph) collision, a telescope in Chile spotted what astronomers have identified as the debris plume resulting from the crash.
Space tracking experts said it was inevitable that the leftover rocket segment plowed into the moon. It’s the latest instance of lunar litter, a problem that many fear could worsen as the U.S. and China race to put astronauts on the moon.
SpaceX’s Julianna Scheiman said this week that the company is working with NASA to avoid future wrecks, stressing that this projected crash was not deliberate. A combination of solar activity and gravity accidentally put it on a collision course with the moon, she said.
科学家确认一枚失控的SpaceX火箭如预期撞击月球
佛罗里达州卡纳维拉尔角（美联社）——科学家报告称，一枚发射了两个月球着陆器的SpaceX火箭在周三如预期撞击了月球，此前它已经偏离轨道一年。
尽管没有人观察到实际以5400英里每小时（8700公里每小时）速度的碰撞，但智利的一台望远镜探测到了天文学家所识别的撞击后产生的碎片云。
太空追踪专家表示，剩余的火箭段撞击月球是不可避免的。这是月球垃圾的最新实例，许多人担心随着美国和中国竞相将宇航员送上月球，这一问题可能会加剧。
SpaceX的朱莉安娜·谢曼本周表示，公司正在与NASA合作以避免未来的碰撞，强调此次预期的撞击并非故意。她表示，太阳活动和重力的组合意外地使其进入了与月球的碰撞轨道。