The Artemis II crew will experience a communications blackout lasting roughly 40 minutes when their spacecraft travels behind the Moon around 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 Moon itself, leaving the crew in complete isolation from Earth.
Artemis pilot Victor Glover has characterized this moment as an opportunity for global reflection, encouraging people to pray and send positive thoughts during the blackout. The experience echoes similar communications losses experienced by Apollo astronauts more than 50 years ago. Apollo 11’s Michael Collins notably orbited the Moon alone for 48 minutes while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin explored the lunar surface, later describing the experience as one of profound solitude rather than fear.
For mission personnel, the blackout will be a period of heightened tension. The Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall, which has been tracking the Orion capsule throughout its journey, will monitor the spacecraft’s position until contact resumes. Matt Cosby, the station’s chief technology officer, acknowledged the nervousness accompanying the loss of signal and the subsequent relief upon reestablishment of communications.
Looking forward, space agencies recognize that such communication gaps will become untenable as lunar exploration expands. Programs like the European Space Agency’s Moonlight initiative are developing satellite networks around the Moon to provide continuous coverage, including on the far side. During the blackout, the Artemis astronauts will focus entirely on lunar observation, capturing images and studying the Moon’s geology before sharing their findings with the world upon signal restoration.
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