South Korean satellite captures before and after views of SpaceX rocket's moon crash
- A South Korean satellite captured images of the moon's surface before and after a SpaceX rocket segment collided with it.
- The crash occurred at a speed of 5,400 mph and is expected to be officially confirmed soon.
- The impact created a darker area on the moon's surface and formed a crater, scattering dust and rocks.
- The Korea Aerospace Research Institute's Danuri spacecraft took multiple photos of the crash site after the event.
- NASA plans to send its Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to the crash site next week for further observation.
A South Korean satellite has captured the first images of the moon's surface following a collision with a stray SpaceX rocket segment. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute's Danuri spacecraft flew over the impact site soon after the Falcon 9 upper stage hit the moon at a speed of 5,400 mph.
The images show a noticeably darker area where the rocket impacted, creating a crater and scattering dust and rocks across the lunar surface. Korean space officials reported that Danuri gathered both before and after images of the crash site.
NASA is also planning to send its Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to the crash site next week to observe the aftermath of the collision. The upper stage of the Falcon 9 rocket was placed on a collision course due to solar activity and gravity, according to SpaceX.
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火箭残骸撞击月球后的首批影像。韩国航空航天研究院的Danuri探测器在Falcon 9上级段以5400英里每小时的速度撞击月球后不久飞越了撞击现场。
影像显示撞击处的区域明显变暗，形成了一个陨石坑，并在月球表面散布了尘土和岩石。韩国航天官员报告称，Danuri收集了撞击现场的前后影像。
NASA还计划在下周派遣其月球勘测轨道器前往撞击现场，观察撞击的后果。