New study reveals the identity of the rogue rocket and its impact on the moon

  • A new study confirms that the rogue rocket that crashed into the moon last year was a Chinese vehicle
  • The rocket was part of the Long March 3C that launched the Chang’e 5-T1 mission in 2014
  • Astronomers had been tracking the rocket and accurately predicted its crash site
  • The rocket created a double crater on the moon’s far side
  • The study provides trajectory and spectroscopic analysis to confirm the rocket’s identity
  • China had previously denied that the rocket burned up in Earth’s atmosphere
  • The rocket’s tumbling behavior suggests a dumbbell-like object with considerable mass at each end
  • The mystery mass is too big to be the standard instrument deck carried by the rocket’s third stage

A new study has conclusively confirmed that the rogue rocket that crashed into the moon last year was a Chinese vehicle. The rocket was part of the Long March 3C that launched the Chang’e 5-T1 mission in 2014. Astronomers had been tracking the rocket and accurately predicted its crash site, which resulted in a double crater on the moon’s far side. The study provides trajectory and spectroscopic analysis to confirm the rocket’s identity. China had previously denied that the rocket burned up in Earth’s atmosphere, but the study’s findings leave little doubt. The rocket’s tumbling behavior suggests a dumbbell-like object with considerable mass at each end, and the mystery mass is too big to be the standard instrument deck carried by the rocket’s third stage.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides detailed information about the study conducted by the University of Arizona, which concludes that the mysterious moon crash was caused by the Long March 3C rocket body. It also mentions the conflicting claims made by Chinese officials and the U.S. Space Command. The article includes scientific analysis and evidence to support its claims.
Noise Level: 7
Noise Justification: The article provides information about the mysterious moon crash and the conclusion reached by astronomers regarding the identity of the impactor. It also discusses the attempts by Chinese officials to sow doubt about the crash. The article includes details about the distinctive crater and the behavior of the rocket body. However, it lacks scientific rigor and intellectual honesty as it does not provide evidence or data to support the claims made. It also does not provide actionable insights or solutions.
Financial Relevance: No
Financial Markets Impacted: No
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Rating Justification: The article does not pertain to financial topics and does not describe an extreme event.
Public Companies: SpaceX (Unknown)
Private Companies: China National Space Administration
Key People: Tanner Campbell (Doctoral student in the UA’s Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering)

Reported publicly: www.space.com