Get All Access for $5/mo

Part of a SpaceX Rocket Is Going to Collide With the Moon The collision is projected to occur in early March.

By Chloe Arrojado

Constantinos Hinis | Getty Images

A SpaceX rocket is predicted to land on the moon — or at least a part of it.

Since 2015, a booster from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket has been floating around space, and now it's projected to unintentionally collide with the moon in early March. Harvard-Smithsonian Center astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell tweeted that while the event is interesting, it's nothing to worry about.

Whereas objects colliding with Earth tend to burn, the moon doesn't have a thick enough atmosphere to catalyze such an effect. The SpaceX part will most likely create another crater, which McDowell likened to "just another hole in the green cheese."

Related: SpaceX Breaks Its Own Falcon 9 Flight Record During Starlink Launch

This isn't the first time an object from Earth has collided with the moon. Projectpluto.com owner Bill Gray noted that in 2009, NASA sent rocket booster LCROSS on a deliberate mission to collide with the moon in order to inspect the celestial body's lunar polar region. Gray calls the Falcon booster an essentially "free" LCROSS, though the space part isn't going to land in an area of particular interest.

"In each case, I am rooting for a lunar impact," Gray wrote in a post dedicated to the object. "I have particularly hoped for a booster to hit on the near side, in an unlit area, near First or Last Quarter; that would presumably be visible from Earth. But we'd have to get very lucky for that...and when you think that this is the first unintended lunar impact we've had, period, the level of luck required increases."

Related: SpaceX's First Private Flight Will Put a 29-Year-Old American in Orbit

Chloe Arrojado

Entrepreneur Staff

Editorial Assistant

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Side Hustle He Started in His College Apartment Turned Into a $70,000-a-Month Income Stream — Then Earned Nearly $2 Million Last Year

Kyle Morrand and his college roommates loved playing retro video games — and the pastime would help launch his career.

Making a Change

Learn All of Rosetta Stone's Languages for $152

A lifetime subscription is nearly $250 off for a limited time.

Leadership

How His Personal Battle With Cancer Inspired This Founder's Solution for Patient Care

On this episode of "The Founder CEO," Michael O'Neil, founder and CEO of GetWellNetwork, discusses his inspiring journey as a leader and the transformative role of AI in healthcare.

Marketing

5 SEO Hacks to Help You Rank Fast

Discover the best SEO hacks you can use to rank fast and avoid waiting for months to see results.

Business News

Homeowners in These 10 States Pay the Most in 'Hidden' Upkeep Costs

Hidden home costs pile on top of mortgage payments.

Starting a Business

Inside the Exclusive Private Club Devoted to Food, Wine and the Arts

Barrett Wissman breaks down the passions and partnerships behind his latest venture Domus Artium Reserve.