In brief
As the Artemis II astronauts embark on a groundbreaking mission to the Moon, they will encounter a brief yet profound moment of solitude when their connection with mission control is lost for 40 minutes. This event echoes the experiences of past astronauts and holds significance for the crew's lunar observation.
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, traveling through the darkness of space. A profound moment of solitude and silence.Artemis pilot Victor Glover expressed hope that the world will unite during this time of silence, inviting people to pray and send good thoughts for the crew. This event recalls moments during the Apollo missions, where astronauts like Michael Collins experienced similar isolation while orbiting the Moon.Back on Earth, the blackout will create tension for those tracking the spacecraft, as facilities like the Goonhilly Earth Station monitor the astronauts' location. The hope is that future missions will eliminate these communication dropouts altogether, ensuring constant communication around the Moon, which is vital for building a Moon base and further exploration. For now, the Artemis crew will dedicate this time to lunar observation, and when contact is re-established, they will share their discoveries with the world.
