SpaceX rocket is about to crash into the moon - here's what we know will happen

A discarded SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage is expected to strike the moon within hours, creating a small crater but posing no danger to Earth. The impact is forecast near Einstein Crater at about 5,400 mph, with an explosive force estimated at roughly three tons of TNT. Scientists say the event will be scientifically useful, allowing orbiters such as NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and South Korea’s Danuri to compare before-and-after images and study the effects of orbital debris on future missions. The article frames the incident as a reminder that space junk is becoming a growing hazard as more man-made objects remain in orbit. This is only the second accidental rocket-impact-to-moon event known, following a Chinese rocket segment in 2022. Market-wise, the story is mainly relevant as a SpaceX operational and reputational event rather than a direct trading catalyst.