Chinese Rocket Mystery Solved: Double Moon Crater Caused by Crash-Landed Booster

Two craters that appeared on the Moon last year were caused by a spent Chinese rocket booster, according to a study. The rocket booster, possibly carrying an additional unknown payload, crashed into the lunar surface. The debris was initially denied by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but a team of scientists from the University of Arizona has now provided evidence confirming the collision. The presence of two equal-sized craters and the stable rotation of the object suggest the presence of an extra payload. The incident highlights the need for increased monitoring of space debris beyond Earth as lunar missions become more frequent.