South Korea Captures Moon Images Showing SpaceX Rocket Debris Crash Site

South Korea's lunar orbiter has released striking before-and-after images of the Moon's surface, documenting the moment a fragment of a SpaceX rocket struck the Moon on Wednesday.

The images were captured by Seoul's KPLO (Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter), which was already in orbit around the Moon when the debris impact occurred. Scientists are now analysing the new crater formed by the collision.

The SpaceX rocket debris, believed to be from an upper stage component, had been on a collision course with the Moon for some time. Its impact was predicted weeks in advance by astronomers tracking the object.

Such debris strikes are rare opportunities for scientists to study lunar geology. The fresh crater offers a clean cross-section of lunar material not yet altered by space weathering, making it particularly valuable for research into the Moon's composition.