In brief
As the Artemis II crew journeys behind the Moon, they will enter a 40-minute blackout period where communication with mission control is lost. This moment not only signifies human achievement in space exploration but also offers the astronauts a rare opportunity for introspection and lunar observation. They plan to use this time to study the Moon's geology and appreciate its beauty before re-establishing contact with Earth, reminiscent of the Apollo missions.
The 40 Minutes When the Artemis Crew Loses Contact with Earth
No one will have been further from home than the Artemis astronauts.
But as the Earth shrinks ever smaller in their rear-view mirror, they've had a constant connection with mission control in Houston, Texas. The calm words from the Nasa team have given the crew a comforting link with home.
That link is about to be lost. As the astronauts pass behind the Moon at about 23:47 BST (18:47 EDT) on Monday, the radio and laser signals that allow the back-and-forth communication between the spacecraft and Earth will be blocked by the Moon itself.
For about 40 minutes, the four astronauts will be alone, each with their own thoughts and feelings, travelling through the darkness of space. A profound moment of solitude and silence.
Artemis pilot Victor Glover told us he hopes the world will use the time to come together. When we're behind the Moon, out of contact with everybody, let's take that as an opportunity. Let's pray, hope, send your good thoughts and feelings that we get back in contact with the crew.
More than 50 years ago, the Apollo astronauts also experienced the isolation brought by a loss of signal during their missions to the Moon. Perhaps none more so than Apollo 11's Michael Collins, who described his experience in his 1974 memoir Carrying the Fire, saying he felt 'truly alone' but did not feel fear or loneliness.
More on Artemis II
- First stop, the Moon. Next stop, Mars? Why Nasa's mission matters
- Everything you need to know about Nasa's Artemis II mission
- Who are the crew - and what are they taking to the Moon?
- Artemis II: Inside the Moon mission to fly humans further than ever
Back on Earth, the blackout will be a tense time for those with the job of maintaining contact with the spacecraft. Matt Cosby, Goonhilly's chief technology officer, expressed that there will be slight nervousness as the craft goes behind the Moon, but excitement as they anticipate seeing the crew safe again.
Programs like the European Space Agency's Moonlight plan to launch a network of satellites around the Moon to provide continuous communication coverage for future missions. For now, the Artemis astronauts will use their time without contact to fully immerse themselves in lunar observation.
When they emerge from the Moon's shadow and the signal is re-established, the world will breathe a collective sigh of relief, as the astronauts will share their breathtaking views of the Moon with everyone back home.
