On March 4, 2022, a rocket stage crashed into the far side of the Moon, creating a double crater. The impact was first predicted by astronomer Bill Gray, who initially identified the object as the upper stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the 2015 DSCOVR mission. However, later analysis suggested it might be the third stage of a Chinese Long March 3C rocket from the 2014 Chang'e 5-T1 mission, a claim that China denied.
The double crater, about 29 meters wide, was spotted in images from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Scientists noted that the two craters were unusual, as most rocket impacts create a single crater. The impact site is on the far side of the Moon, near the Hertzsprung crater.
For NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon, this event highlights the need for better tracking of space debris and its potential effects on lunar operations. The crash also raises questions about the growing amount of space junk in cislunar space.
As of August 2026, the exact origin of the rocket stage remains unconfirmed. The incident underscores the importance of international cooperation in space traffic management.
