A rocket crashed into the Moon – why this could threaten future lunar bases

Image of the Moon taken during Nasa's Artemis II mission in April 2026. Nasa In the early hours of Wednesday morning August 5 the upper stage of a Falcon 9 rocket crashed into the Moon in an uncontrolled collision. No damage was caused, other than the creation of a new crater several metres in diameter, but the event highlights the increasing problem of space junk left in orbit when it has completed its intended purpose. Natural impacts occur on the Moon daily. On average, Nasa estimates that…