SpaceX rocket to crash into the moon
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A spent SpaceX rocket is on a collision course with the moon, likely the first time a piece of “space junk” will unintentionally strike the lunar surface
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Payload fairing
Second stage
Inter- stage adapter
First stage

Feb 11, 2015: Falcon 9 rocket launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, carrying Deep Space Climate Observatory satellite on SpaceX’s first deep space mission

After completing long burn and sending satellite on into space, second stage booster does not have enough fuel to return to Earth

SECOND STAGE 
Weight: 4 tonnes

Derelict vehicle tumbles around in chaotic orbit for seven years

3 Mar 4: Booster expected to impact far side of moon near equator, at velocity of around 2.58km/s

Exact location of impact uncertain

Iconic image from Georges Méliès’ 1902 film
A Trip to the Moon, shows cannon-propelled capsule hitting moon

Observation of subsurface material ejected by collision could provide valuable scientific data
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Sources: Arstechnica, Projectpluto.com
Pictures: NASA, Newscom © GRAPHIC NEWS