Rocket Set to Hit Moon Was Built by China, Not SpaceX, Say Astronomers

A rocket will indeed strike the lunar surface on March 4, but contrary to what had been announced, it was built not by Elon Musk's company, but by China, experts now say Laurent EMMANUEL AFP/File
A rocket will indeed strike the lunar surface on March 4, but contrary to what had been announced, it was built not by Elon Musk's company, but by China, experts now say Laurent EMMANUEL AFP/File
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Rocket Set to Hit Moon Was Built by China, Not SpaceX, Say Astronomers

A rocket will indeed strike the lunar surface on March 4, but contrary to what had been announced, it was built not by Elon Musk's company, but by China, experts now say Laurent EMMANUEL AFP/File
A rocket will indeed strike the lunar surface on March 4, but contrary to what had been announced, it was built not by Elon Musk's company, but by China, experts now say Laurent EMMANUEL AFP/File

Astronomy experts say they originally misread the secrets of the night sky last month: it turns out that a rocket expected to crash into the Moon in early March was built by China, not SpaceX.

A rocket will indeed strike the lunar surface on March 4, but contrary to what had been announced, it was built not by Elon Musk's company, but by Beijing, experts now say.

The rocket is now said to be 2014-065B, the booster for the Chang'e 5-T1, launched in 2014 as part of the Chinese space agency's lunar exploration program, AFP reported.

The surprise announcement was made by astronomer Bill Gray, who first identified the future impact, and admitted his mistake last weekend.

"This (honest mistake) just emphasizes the problem with lack of proper tracking of these deep space objects," tweeted astronomer Jonathan McDowell, who advocates for greater regulation of space waste.

"The object had about the brightness we would expect, and had showed up at the expected time and moving in a reasonable orbit," he wrote in post.

But "in hindsight, I should have noticed some odd things" about its orbit, he added.

NASA said in late January that it would attempt to observe the crater that will be formed by the explosion of this object, thanks to its probe that orbits around the Moon, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO).

The agency called the event an "exciting research opportunity."



West Coast and Shopping Festival Attract Visitors during Jeddah Season

West Coast and shopping festival attract visitors during Jeddah Season. (SPA)
West Coast and shopping festival attract visitors during Jeddah Season. (SPA)
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West Coast and Shopping Festival Attract Visitors during Jeddah Season

West Coast and shopping festival attract visitors during Jeddah Season. (SPA)
West Coast and shopping festival attract visitors during Jeddah Season. (SPA)

This summer, Jeddah Season 2025 is offering unique tourism activities that combine the sea atmosphere with the liveliness of shopping. This year's Jeddah Season features activities of the "West Coast", as well as the Jeddah Shopping Festival, which attracts a large number of visitors from within and outside the Kingdom.

Within the activities, Jeddah's beaches have transformed into vibrant destinations offering a range of water activities, beach sports, and live music performances, in addition to spaces dedicated to relaxation and recreation, thereby enhancing the city's appeal as a popular summer destination on the Red Sea coast, the Saudi Press Agency said on Sunday.

The significant expansion of new and private beaches is another highlight of the season. They were developed to provide visitors with an exceptional experience that combines luxury and privacy, catering to a variety of interests, from family entertainment to quiet recreation.

The Jeddah Shopping Festival enhances the season by offering a wide range of promotions and discounts across various stores and malls, providing a comprehensive shopping experience that spans from traditional markets to modern malls, in a scene that reflects the harmony of authenticity and modernity.