South Korean orbiter Danuri photographs crater formed by Falcon 9 debris impact on Moon

South Korea’s Danuri lunar orbiter photographed a new Moon crater formed when SpaceX Falcon 9 debris struck, the Korea AeroSpace Administration said. The rocket stage weighed about 4 metric tons and stood as tall as a five-story building. It came from a Falcon 9 launched in January 2025 carrying two commercial lunar spacecraft for US and Japanese companies, and struck the Moon on Aug. 5. KASA said Danuri imaged the area before and after impact. SpaceX called the crash unintentional. NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is expected to survey the site next week.