The Artemis II crew will experience a communications blackout lasting about 40 minutes when their spacecraft passes behind the Moon at approximately 23:47 BST on Monday. During this period, radio and laser signals connecting the four astronauts to mission control in Houston will be blocked by the lunar body, leaving them in complete isolation from Earth.
Artemis pilot Victor Glover has expressed hope that this unique moment will prompt global reflection and unity. He previously stated that people should use the time to pray and send positive thoughts for the crew’s safe return. The experience echoes similar communication losses experienced by Apollo astronauts over 50 years ago. Apollo 11’s Michael Collins notably spent 48 minutes out of contact while orbiting the Moon in 1969, a period he later described in his memoir as bringing peace and tranquility despite the profound isolation.
On Earth, the blackout will create tension for personnel managing communications infrastructure. The Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall, which has been tracking the Orion capsule throughout its journey, will experience the signal loss. Matt Cosby, the station’s chief technology officer, acknowledged that this represents the first time the facility is tracking a crewed spacecraft and that anxiety will accompany the communication dropout before relief arrives upon signal restoration.
Communications specialists recognize that such blackouts present challenges for expanded lunar operations. Continuous coverage will be essential as space agencies develop permanent lunar bases and increase exploration activities. The European Space Agency’s Moonlight program is among initiatives planning to deploy satellite networks around the Moon to provide reliable 24-hour communication coverage, including on the lunar far side.
During their time without contact, the Artemis astronauts will focus entirely on lunar observation, capturing images and studying the Moon’s geological features. Upon signal restoration, they will share their observations and experiences with the world, completing another historic chapter in human spaceflight exploration.
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