The Artemis II crew will experience a communications blackout lasting roughly 40 minutes when their spacecraft travels behind the Moon on Monday at approximately 23:47 BST. During this period, radio and laser signals connecting the four astronauts to mission control in Houston will be blocked by the lunar body itself, leaving them temporarily isolated from Earth contact.
This phenomenon is not unprecedented in spaceflight history. Apollo astronauts encountered similar communications losses during their lunar missions more than 50 years ago. Apollo 11’s Michael Collins experienced a 48-minute blackout in 1969 while orbiting the Moon as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin conducted their historic surface operations. In his 1974 memoir, Collins described feeling “truly alone” and “isolated from any known life” during the experience, though he reported not experiencing fear or loneliness. He later characterized the period as peaceful and tranquil, offering respite from constant mission control communications.
Artemis pilot Victor Glover has encouraged the world to use the blackout period constructively, suggesting people pray and send positive thoughts for the crew’s safe return. Meanwhile, personnel at tracking stations on Earth, including the Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall, will monitor the spacecraft’s trajectory and await signal reestablishment to confirm the crew’s safety.
During the communications loss, the astronauts plan to dedicate their attention to lunar observation activities, including imaging and geological studies of the Moon. Looking ahead, space agencies recognize the need to establish continuous communication coverage around the Moon. The European Space Agency’s Moonlight program and similar initiatives are developing satellite networks designed to provide round-the-clock communication coverage, including over the lunar far side, to support sustainable lunar exploration and future Moon base operations.
When the spacecraft emerges from the Moon’s shadow and signal contact resumes, mission control and the public will receive confirmation that the crew remains safe, and the astronauts will be able to transmit their observations and imagery from the mission.
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