NASA and SpaceX are collaborating on protocols to prevent future collisions between spent rocket upper stages and the Moon, following an unintended impact in 2022. That collision occurred when a Falcon 9 upper stage, launched to support a lunar mission, struck the lunar surface after venting fuel and losing tracking capability.
The incident exposed a gap in space operations procedures. Unlike satellites in Earth orbit, which operators track and maneuver regularly, lunar upper stages historically received minimal active management once they completed their primary missions. Spent stages entered lunar trajectories and remained uncontrolled, creating debris hazards.
NASA and SpaceX are now developing standards for controlled disposal of upper stages destined for the Moon. The agencies are examining options including deorbiting spent stages before lunar impact, using propellant reserves to steer them into unpopulated lunar regions, or maintaining sufficient tracking data to predict impact sites with precision.
The work addresses orbital debris concerns that extend beyond the Moon. As commercial lunar cargo missions increase, particularly those launched on Falcon 9 rockets supporting companies like Firefly Aerospace and iSpace, the number of upper stages entering lunar space will grow substantially. Without preventive measures, collision risks multiply.
Current proposals require launch operators to submit detailed plans for upper stage disposal before lunar missions proceed. SpaceX must demonstrate either controlled deorbit capability or precise impact prediction. These standards would apply to all future lunar-bound missions, not just those involving SpaceX hardware.
The collaboration reflects growing attention to space traffic management and orbital hygiene. As lunar operations transition from rare, government-led missions to routine commercial activity, the space industry confronts practical challenges of shared environment stewardship. NASA's involvement ensures federal oversight aligns with commercial operations expanding rapidly to lunar space.