On August 5, 2026, the second stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket collided with the Moon at 2.43 km/s, creating a new crater. This incident, though unintentional, highlights ongoing challenges with space debris and orbital mechanics. The Falcon 9 stage, part of a 2025 mission carrying lunar modules from Firefly and ispace, entered an elliptical orbit after deployment. Gravitational forces and solar radiation caused its trajectory to destabilize over time, leading to the collision. Observers tracked the object as it approached the Moon, with predictions confirmed by astronomers. The impact occurred on the far side near the Einstein crater, detected by telescopes like the VLT and the Korean Danuri probe. While not the first such event—similar incidents date back to the Apollo missions—the growing number of lunar missions raises concerns about space debris management. Scientists note that these collisions provide unique insights into crater formation under low-velocity impacts, contrasting with asteroid strikes. The incident underscores the need for coordinated efforts to mitigate orbital risks as nations plan more lunar exploration.