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 crashed into it.
- The crash occurred at a speed of 5,400 mph on August 5, 2026, after the rocket drifted off course for a year.
- The impact site shows a darker terrain where the rocket hit, creating a crater and scattering dust and rock.
- NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is expected to fly over the crash site next week to assess the aftermath.
A South Korean satellite has captured the first images of the moon's surface following the collision caused by a stray SpaceX rocket segment. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute's Danuri spacecraft flew over the impact site shortly after the Falcon 9 upper stage collided with the moon on August 5, 2026.
The crash occurred at a speed of 5,400 mph, with experts stating it was inevitable after the rocket segment drifted off course for a year due to solar activity and gravity. The terrain at the impact site appears darker, indicating where the rocket hit and created a crater.
Korean space officials reported that Danuri gathered before and after images of the crash site. NASA plans to send its Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to fly over the area next week to view the aftermath of the collision.
韩国卫星捕捉到SpaceX火箭撞月前后的影像
一颗韩国卫星捕捉到了SpaceX火箭段撞击月球后的首批影像。韩国航空航天研究院的Danuri航天器在2026年8月5日Falcon 9上级火箭与月球相撞后不久飞越了撞击现场。
此次撞击发生在5400英里每小时的速度下，专家表示，由于太阳活动和重力，火箭段漂移失控一年后撞击是不可避免的。撞击地点的地表明显变暗，表明火箭撞击并形成了一个陨石坑。
韩国航天官员报告称，Danuri收集了撞击现场前后的影像。NASA计划在下周派遣其月球勘测轨道器飞越该区域，以查看撞击后的情况。