A SpaceX rocket section crashed into the Moon – we can’t let the Moon get polluted by space debris

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket's upper stage crashed into the Moon on Wednesday, creating a crater several meters across as part of a mission carrying two robotic spacecraft. Per The Conversation UK, after releasing its payload, the upper stage remained stranded in orbit around Earth, unable to perform the controlled de-orbit burn that SpaceX normally executes over the ocean for safety. Traveling at two point four three kilometers per second, the four metric tonne stage excavated lunar rock and dust now visible in images captured by South Korea's Danuri spacecraft. With more countries planning long-term human settlements on the Moon, the accumulation of space debris poses an increasing threat to future infrastructure and even historic sites like the Apollo 11 landing area. The Outer Space Treaty holds nations liable for damage caused by their space objects—a principle likely to face testing as lunar activity expands.

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