SpaceX rocket debris crashes into moon; shares drop after earnings
Debris from a SpaceX rocket crashed into the moon, and the company's shares fell following an earnings report.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A large piece of a SpaceX rocket has crashed into the moon, creating a fresh crater on the lunar surface. The debris, a four-tonne upper stage of a Falcon 9 rocket, was launched in January 2025 as part of a mission to carry a lander and rover to the moon. After completing its primary task, the rocket stage was supposed to fall away and burn up in Earth's atmosphere, but instead it ended up on an accidental collision course with the moon.
The impact occurred at around 7:30am UK time, with the debris travelling at approximately 5,400 miles per hour. Scientists believe it struck near the Einstein crater, a 180-kilometre-wide crater on the north-western edge of the moon. The collision is thought to have created a crater up to 30 metres wide and thrown up a plume of rock and debris as high as 100 kilometres.
No spacecraft orbiting the moon was in the right position to capture the moment of impact, and ground-based telescopes have so far not confirmed any visual evidence of the collision. However, astronomers hope that images from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and South Korea's Danuri satellite, as well as powerful telescopes on Earth, will provide before-and-after comparisons of the impact site in the coming days.
Scientists are treating the event as a rare opportunity to study the moon's composition. Because the size, speed and mass of the object are known precisely, the impact can be used as a controlled experiment to understand the properties of lunar soil and rock. The data could help NASA in its plans to build a permanent base on the moon within the next decade.
The incident has also highlighted the growing problem of space debris. The rocket stage is one of tens of thousands of human-made objects currently orbiting Earth and the moon. Experts warn that without international rules to manage space junk, the risk of collisions could eventually make some orbits unusable, threatening satellites that provide everyday services.
Separately, SpaceX faced financial turbulence back on Earth. The company released its first-ever earnings report, revealing sales of $7.8 billion, nearly double the previous year, but a loss of over half a billion dollars. Shares, which had initially soared to $225 after being offered at $135, have since fallen below the offer price, wiping a trillion dollars off the company's valuation. The drop reflects investor concerns over the huge costs of SpaceX's ambitious plans, including the development of the Starship rocket and a massive $18 billion capital spending programme, most of it on artificial intelligence equipment. The company is now locked in an AI spending war with tech giants such as Google, Meta and Amazon.
Elon Musk, SpaceX's founder, remains a controversial figure, but investors are betting on his long-term vision of building an in-space economy. The company's Starlink satellite broadband service, which operates in 160 countries, continues to generate revenue, and the fully reusable Starship rocket is expected to slash launch costs once it enters full service.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | BBC News | BBC One | Channel 4 | ITV | Sky News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debris identified as empty upper stage of a Falcon 9 rocket launched in January last year. | ||||||
| No telescopes or satellites captured images of the impact, and no astronomer has spotted the ejecta plume. | · | · | · | |||
| The piece of rocket weighed four tonnes. | · | · | · | |||
| Scientists can study ejected debris to learn about the moon's composition. | · | · | · | · | ||
| The collision occurred at around 7:30-7:35 this morning. | · | · | · | · | ||
| The collision speed was around 5,500 miles per hour. | · | · | · | · | ||
| A Chinese rocket stage previously crashed into the far side of the moon. | · | · | · | · | · | |
| NASA estimates about 31,000 pieces of space debris in orbit as of 2024. | · | · | · | · | · | |
| Over two-thirds of active satellites around Earth belong to SpaceX's Starlink constellation. | · | · | · | · | · | |
| SpaceX plans to spend $18 billion on AI equipment, including data sensors using Nvidia chips. | · | · | · | · | · | |
| SpaceX reported sales of $7.8 billion and a loss of over half a billion dollars. | · | · | · | · | · | |
| SpaceX shares dropped below their initial offer price, knocking a trillion dollars off the company's valuation. | · | · | · | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
Focused heavily on the scientific significance of the moon crash, with a detailed explanation from science correspondent Pallab Ghosh. Briefly mentioned SpaceX earnings as a teaser for later coverage, but did not report on the earnings themselves.
- “The collision is exciting for scientists because we know it's happening and we know the speed and the mass of the rocket stage that will crash into the moon.”
- “The lessons learned from the impact should help NASA in its plans to build a moon base in the next decade.”
Covered the moon crash briefly, focusing on the expected crater size and the timing of the impact. Also mentioned an upcoming lunar eclipse, which was not covered by other channels. Did not mention SpaceX earnings at all.
- “It's expected to leave a crater up to 30 metres wide, which is too small to be seen with the naked eye.”
- “We're yet to hear official confirmation of its impact, as when we do so, we'll let you know.”
Very brief mention of the moon crash, stating it is believed to have happened and giving the weight and explosive equivalent. Did not cover SpaceX earnings. The report was part of a bulletin that also covered flea treatments and secretary bird chicks.
- “Part of a SpaceX rocket is believed to have crashed into the moon this morning.”
- “Scientists say the collision would be equivalent to an explosion of three tonnes of TNT and will leave a large crater.”
Focused on the moon crash with a detailed report from Pallab Ghosh, similar to the BBC News channel. Emphasised the controlled experiment aspect and the value for NASA's moon base plans. Did not mention SpaceX earnings.
- “This is like quite a rare chance to do more of a controlled experiment.”
- “The lessons learned from the impact should help NASA in its plans to build a moon base in the next decade.”
Covered the moon crash with a focus on the lack of visual confirmation and the broader issue of space debris. Included a graphic showing the number of space debris objects. Did not mention SpaceX earnings.
- “The moon may have acquired a fresh crater on its surface today courtesy of Elon Musk.”
- “Although accidental, scientists are hoping to use today's crash as a way to learn more about space debris and how to track it.”
Extended interview with space journalist Kate Arkless Gray, focusing on the mechanics of the crash, the lack of images, and the broader problem of space debris and the need for international rules. Did not cover SpaceX earnings.
- “This doesn't happen very often, does it? No, it's not the first time it's happened.”
- “Something will need to be done. Otherwise we could lose access to space.”
Brief mention of the moon crash as part of a broader news bulletin that also covered a former neo-Nazi candidate, a stabbing in Covent Garden, and other stories. The crash report was similar to earlier BBC coverage but shorter. Did not mention SpaceX earnings.
- “three two one Ignition and how part of this SpaceX rocket which launched last year has just accidentally crashed into the moon”
Combined coverage of the moon crash and SpaceX's first earnings report, with a dedicated report by Neil McDonald. Emphasised the financial struggles and AI spending, linking Musk's controversial political stance to investor sentiment. Unique in giving equal weight to both aspects of the story.
- “It's also been a rocky few weeks for the SpaceX foundry Elon Musk back on Earth. The company's shares sank today after its first-ever earnings report.”
- “It's a very hard business to value. It's uncharted terrain. It's literally a new frontier.”
Focused on the moon crash with a dramatic tone, describing the rocket as 'lost in space' and highlighting the lack of images. Included a warning about space junk and a reference to Hollywood. Did not mention SpaceX earnings.
- “The controversial owner of SpaceX, Elon Musk, had some pretty out-there ideas about exploring space, but to be fair to him, crashing a rocket on the surface of the moon wasn't one of them.”
- “The dangers of fast-moving space junk have been memorably portrayed by Hollywood, and today's lunar crash is a reminder that the space between the Earth and the moon is due for a tidy-up.”
Similar to earlier BBC reports, with a detailed explanation from Pallab Ghosh. Emphasised the speed (7 times the speed of sound) and the lack of images. Did not mention SpaceX earnings.
- “We don't have any pictures back yet, but here's what scientists think happened.”
- “The interesting thing will be seeing the images after the impact to see the size and shape of the crater”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.