South Korean satellite captures before and after views of SpaceX rocket's moon crash
- A South Korean satellite has captured images of the moon's surface before and after a SpaceX rocket segment collided with it.
- The impact occurred at a speed of 5,400 mph and has not yet been officially confirmed.
- The Danuri spacecraft took multiple photos of the crash site shortly after the incident.
- The terrain at the impact site appears darker, indicating a new crater was formed.
- NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is expected to fly over the crash site next week.
A South Korean satellite has captured the first images of the moon's surface after a SpaceX rocket segment collided with it. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute's Danuri spacecraft flew over the impact site soon after the Falcon 9 upper stage hit the moon on Wednesday.
The images show a noticeable darkening of the terrain where the rocket struck, indicating a new crater was formed. SpaceX reported that the upper stage was placed on a collision course due to solar activity and gravity.
NASA expects its Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to fly over the crash site next week to assess the aftermath of the impact. The Danuri spacecraft was launched by SpaceX from Cape Canaveral in 2022, along with a pair of private lunar landers.
韩国卫星捕捉到SpaceX火箭月球撞击的前后影像
一颗韩国卫星捕捉到了SpaceX火箭段撞击月球后的第一张影像。韩国航空航天研究院的Danuri航天器在周三火箭上级撞击月球后不久飞越了撞击现场。
影像显示，火箭撞击的地形明显变暗，表明形成了一个新的陨石坑。SpaceX报告称，火箭上级因太阳活动和引力被置于了撞击轨道上。
NASA预计其月球勘测轨道器将在下周飞越撞击现场，以评估撞击后的情况。Danuri航天器于2022年由SpaceX从卡纳维拉尔角发射，同时发射了一对私人月球着陆器。