Scientists say a wayward SpaceX rocket hit the moon as predicted - AP News
Scientists say a wayward SpaceX upper stage likely struck the moon near Einstein Crater after drifting off course for a year.
Bloomberg, The Washington Post and AP News
Key points
From AP News’s report- SpaceX rocket upper stage likely collided with the moon after drifting off course for a year.
- Collision described as inevitable by space tracking experts, with potential crater near Einstein Crater observed.
- Blue Ghost and Resilience were launched Jan. 15, 2025, with Resilience wrecked yet Blue Ghost successful.
- NASA and international efforts aim to observe the impact crater via Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter next week.
- Experts caution increased lunar traffic as NASA plans Artemis missions and private firms push to lunar surface.
Why it matters. The likely impact underscores concerns about growing lunar traffic as NASA and private companies pursue more moon missions.
What to watch. NASA and international teams plan to use the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter next week to look for the possible crater.
Coverage
Oldest first · UTC“Scientists are certain a wayward SpaceX rocket slammed into the moon as predicted - AP News”
Key points from AP News
- SpaceX rocket upper stage likely collided with the moon after drifting off course for a year.
- Collision described as inevitable by space tracking experts, with potential crater near Einstein Crater observed.
- Blue Ghost and Resilience were launched Jan. 15, 2025, with Resilience wrecked yet Blue Ghost successful.
- NASA and international efforts aim to observe the impact crater via Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter next week.
- Experts caution increased lunar traffic as NASA plans Artemis missions and private firms push to lunar surface.
Coverage
Oldest first · UTCSourceBloombergUnited StatesLeanCenterCredibilityRatings: AllSides, MBFCRead at Bloomberg“Stray Piece of SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Slams Into the Moon”
SourceThe Washington PostUnited StatesLeanCenter-leftCredibilityRatings: AllSides, MBFCRead at The Washington Post“Wayward SpaceX rocket expected to crash into moon”
SourceAP NewsUnited StatesLeanCenterCredibilityRatings: AllSides, MBFCRead at AP News“Scientists are certain a wayward SpaceX rocket slammed into the moon as predicted - AP News”
Key points from AP News
- SpaceX rocket upper stage likely collided with the moon after drifting off course for a year.
- Collision described as inevitable by space tracking experts, with potential crater near Einstein Crater observed.
- Blue Ghost and Resilience were launched Jan. 15, 2025, with Resilience wrecked yet Blue Ghost successful.
- NASA and international efforts aim to observe the impact crater via Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter next week.
- Experts caution increased lunar traffic as NASA plans Artemis missions and private firms push to lunar surface.
Why it’s in the Brief
Ranked 4th of 10.
- Starting score
- 5.0
- Public-interest topic
- +1.0
- Public-interest terms in the text
- +1.25
- High-reliability sources
- +0.75
- Corroboration by independent outlets
- +1.6
- Score
- 9.6
The ranking is the same for everyone.
Perspective mix. 1 center-left · 2 center.RatingsAllSides and Media Bias/Fact CheckLean and credibility are curated from their public ratings.Unknown outlets stay unrated, never guessed.
Blindspot. No right-leaning outlet is covering this story. 3 of 3 outlets are United States-based. Worth knowing before you make up your mind.