– SpaceX Falcon 9’s Upper Stage Impacted Moon’s “Einstein Crater”
– Danuri Obtained High-resolution Data While Passing Over the Site– Joint Observation with NASA… International Collaboration Planned
The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA, Administrator Taeseog Oh) announced that Danuri (Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter, KPLO) captured images of the moments before and after the impact of the upper stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on the lunar surface, which occurred at 3:34 p.m. on August 5 (Korea Standard Time). The initial observation was conducted at 3:01 p.m., approximately 30 minutes before the impact, followed by seven additional observations after the impact. A total of eight observation sessions were carried out, with all imaging completed at around 7:00 a.m. on August 6.
Danuri performed orbital maneuvers after the rocket upper stage impacted the lunar surface and passed over the impact site until the morning of August 6, capturing images of the lunar surface immediately before and after the impact using its onboard high-resolution camera, the Lunar Terrain Imager (LUTI). The observation was conducted under conditions similar to capturing an event occurring in Busan from an altitude of 150 km above Seoul, while traveling at a speed of 1.5 km per second. Danuri’s Wide-Angle Polarimetric Camera (PolCam) also simultaneously observed the same region to analyze changes in the surface’s polarization characteristics. (The distance between Danuri and the impact site was approximately 340-350 km.)
The observation data obtained from this mission revealed topographical changes near the impact site and traces of ejecta dispersion. Prior to the impact, Danuri had conducted two observations of the area surrounding the predicted impact site on July 9, securing baseline images for comparison.
This observation represents a significant case of observing a predicted artificial object impact on the Moon from lunar orbit. Previously, observations of artificial objects impacting the Moon have generally focused on identifying surface changes after a considerable period of time. However, by securing both pre-impact baseline images and immediate post-impact images, Danuri has provided critical data that will enable researchers to isolate and analyze changes caused solely by the impact.
Meanwhile, NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) is also scheduled to conduct follow-up observations of the impact site. The observation data acquired by Danuri will be used to support LRO’s observation planning through international cooperation.
The observation data will undergo scientific analysis by relevant research institutions to determine more detailed results, including the precise size and morphology of the impact crater, the distribution of ejecta, and changes in surface reflectance and polarization characteristics. The analysis results are expected to be utilized as international collaborative research data through cooperation with NASA and other partners, contributing to studies of lunar surface properties using artificial impactors and improving the interpretation of natural meteorite impacts.
KASA Administrator Taeseog Oh stated, “Danuri’s successful capture of images before and after an artificial object impact on the Moon demonstrates Korea’s lunar exploration and observation capabilities, including orbital control and mission operation capabilities.” He added, “The data acquired through this observation will serve as an important foundation for expanding future lunar research and space exploration strategies.”