Scientists are certain a wayward SpaceX rocket slammed into the moon as predicted
- Scientists report that a SpaceX rocket has crashed into the moon after drifting off course for the past year.
- The collision occurred at a speed of 5,400 mph, although it has yet to be officially confirmed.
- Astronomers observed a debris plume resulting from the crash using a telescope in Chile.
- Experts noted that this incident adds to the growing problem of lunar debris as space missions increase.
- NASA is working with SpaceX to prevent future collisions, as this crash was unintentional.
A SpaceX rocket that launched a pair of lunar landers has crashed into the moon as predicted after drifting off course for the past year. Although the actual collision at a speed of 5,400 mph has not been officially confirmed, scientists are confident that the leftover rocket segment plowed into the moon on Wednesday.
Astronomers detected a debris plume resulting from the impact using a telescope in Chile, confirming that the rocket segment has indeed collided with the lunar surface. This incident adds to the ongoing concerns regarding lunar debris, as both the U.S. and China are ramping up efforts to send astronauts to the moon.
SpaceX's Julianna Scheiman stated that the company is collaborating with NASA to prevent future wrecks, emphasizing that this projected crash was not intentional. Observations indicated that a combination of solar activity and gravity inadvertently placed the rocket on a collision course with the moon. Visual confirmation of the impact site will await images from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, expected next week.
科学家确信一枚失控的SpaceX火箭如预期撞击了月球
一枚发射了两个月球着陆器的SpaceX火箭在失控漂移一年后如预期撞击了月球。尽管5400英里每小时的实际碰撞尚未正式确认，但科学家们确信剩余的火箭部分在周三撞击了月球。
天文学家通过智利的一台望远镜检测到了撞击后产生的碎片云，确认火箭部分确实与月球表面发生了碰撞。这一事件加剧了关于月球垃圾的持续担忧，因为美国和中国都在加大力度向月球派遣宇航员。
SpaceX的朱莉安娜·谢曼表示，公司正在与NASA合作以防止未来的碰撞，并强调这次预计的撞击并非故意。观察表明，太阳活动和重力的组合无意中将火箭置于与月球的碰撞轨道上。撞击地点的可视确认将等待NASA的月球勘测轨道器的图像，预计下周发布。