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Megan Argo, Reader in Astrophysics, University of Lancashire

Part of a rocket crashed into the Moon – why this could threaten future lunar bases

Image of the Moon taken during Nasa's Artemis II mission in April 2026. Nasa

In the early hours of Wednesday morning August 5 the upper stage of a Falcon 9 rocket crashed into the Moon in an uncontrolled collision.

No damage was caused, other than the creation of a new crater several metres in diameter, but the event highlights the increasing problem of space junk left in orbit when it has completed its intended purpose.

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