The second stage of a Falcon 9 rocket, which sent two private landers to the Moon last year, will collide with the moon early Wednesday morning. The rocket stage has been orbiting in space since its launch, gradually being pulled toward the lunar surface by gravity. SpaceX launched the mission carrying commercial payloads destined for the moon. The spent upper stage, weighing approximately four metric tons, is expected to impact at high velocity on the far side of the moon.

Astronomers have tracked the object's trajectory for months, confirming the inevitable collision. The impact will create a new crater, though it will not be visible from Earth. This event highlights the growing issue of space debris in cislunar space as commercial lunar missions increase.

No scientific instruments are aboard the rocket stage to record the impact, but lunar orbiters may later image the resulting crater. The collision poses no risk to any current or planned lunar missions. Experts note that such uncontrolled impacts are becoming more common with the rise of private spaceflight.