Article 5WQDK Space junk set to crash into far side of moon and cause huge crater

Space junk set to crash into far side of moon and cause huge crater

by
Ian Sample Science editor
from on (#5WQDK)

Spent rocket body believed to be part of Chinese Chang'e 5-T1 mission expected to hit lunar surface at 5,500mph

In an unprecedented display of cosmic littering, a wayward rocket body will crash into the far side of the moon on Friday marking the first time that a piece of space junk has accidentally struck the lunar surface.

The spent rocket booster, believed to be part of the Chinese Chang'e 5-T1 mission which swung around the moon in 2014, is predicted to slam into the Hertzsprung crater at 12.25pm GMT, though the precise time and location are unclear.

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