“Boom right here”…Danuri captured traces of the SpaceX rocket that crashed into the Moon

창간 80주년 경향신문

입력 2026.08.06 19:14

By Lee Jeong-Ho

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Lunar orbiter Danuri captures traces of the Falcon 9 impact

Exploration capability proven…to be used to define the Moon's physical properties

The Korean lunar orbiter ‘Danuri’ succeeded on the 5th in photographing the traces left by the impact of the U.S. space company’s ‘Falcon 9’ rocket. Provided by the Korea AeroSpace Administration

The Korean lunar orbiter ‘Danuri’ succeeded in photographing the traces left when a discarded rocket from Earth struck the lunar surface. These imaging results not only publicly demonstrate the lunar exploration capabilities of Korea, but also are expected to be used to understand the physical properties of the lunar surface going forward.

The Korea AeroSpace Administration announced on the 6th that Danuri succeeded in photographing the traces left when the upper stage of the SpaceX ‘Falcon 9’ rocket impacted the Moon at 3:34 p.m. (Korean time) on the 5th.

Imaging was conducted a total of eight times before and after the impact near the Einstein crater, where the rocket fell. The instruments used were the ‘high-resolution camera (LUTI)’ and the ‘wide-field polarimetric camera (PolCam)’ onboard Danuri. The distance between Danuri, which has been orbiting above the Moon since 2022, and the impact site was 340~350㎞.

The state of the lunar surface before and after the Falcon 9 rocket impacted on the 5th. Within a few hours, a dark shadow that had not existed before appeared. Provided by the Korea AeroSpace Administration

The left image is a photograph of the impact site taken on October 1, 2015 by the NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). The right one was taken by Danuri on the 6th. After the rocket impact, a trace that had not originally existed appeared on the lunar surface. Provided by the Korea AeroSpace Administration

In the captured images, a dark shadow not previously present appears at the impact site. The Korea AeroSpace Administration stated, “In the observation data, changes in terrain near the impact site and traces of ejecta dispersion were identified.”

The Korea AeroSpace Administration explained that it will use Danuri’s observation data to analyze the exact size and shape of the crater and the distribution of ejecta, among other factors. It also projected that the data will be used for studies of the physical properties of the lunar surface. The observation data obtained by Danuri will also be used to plan imaging by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) operated by NASA.

This lunar impact by the Falcon 9 rocket drew international attention as a case caused by uncontrolled space debris. Previously, in 2022, space debris known as a Chinese Long March rocket struck the lunar surface. The space science community assesses that after permanent bases begin to be built on the Moon in earnest in the 2030s, continued falls of such space debris could result in human and material losses.

Korea AeroSpace Administration Commissioner Oh Tae-seok said, “Danuri capturing scenes before and after an artificial object impact from lunar orbit is an important achievement that demonstrates the lunar exploration observation capabilities of Korea,” and added, “This observation will serve as a foundation for expanding future lunar research capabilities and space exploration strategy.”