NASA chief downplays SpaceX rocket crash into Moon: 'Not a big deal'

Published Aug 5, 09:41 PM UTC

Editorial responsibility

Prepared by: WorldAttention Editorial Systems
Human review: No named human review is recorded for this page.
Automated steps: Source reporting is collected, normalized, translated or condensed automatically when needed.
Page status: Automatically published source-backed update

How automation and AI are used · Report a correction or rights issue

A wayward SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage crashed into the moon on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, with the force of three tons of TNT, leaving a new crater. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, a close business associate of Elon Musk, dismissed the incident on Fox News, calling it 'not a big deal' and noting the moon 'has clearly seen better days.' He highlighted SpaceX's record of recovering 600 rockets and pivoted to future plans for reusable rockets landing on the moon to build a base. The article notes Isaacman's financial ties to Musk and suggests his dismissive response may protect his own position and Musk's reputation. It warns that increasing space debris from rocket launches could threaten satellites and complicate moon base ambitions.

Source

The New RepublicWestern

Original headline: Trump’s NASA Official Not Too Worried as SpaceX Rocket Dents the Moon

Original language: EN

Part of this Story

Discarded SpaceX Rocket Stage on Collision Course with Moon

See the full Story: all sources and camp coverage

People and interests

SpaceX NASA Elon Musk