In brief
The Artemis II mission will feature a poignant moment when the astronauts lose connection with mission control for about 40 minutes as they pass behind the Moon. This silence allows the crew to focus on lunar observation while they contemplate their historic journey. Past missions, including Apollo 11, have similarly experienced such moments of isolation, sparking reflection among astronauts.
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 hopes this period of lost communication can serve as an opportunity for unity and reflection. Just like the Apollo astronauts who faced similar isolation during their missions, the Artemis II crew will devote this time to lunar observation, using the stark silence to study the Moon’s geology and beauty When the astronauts emerge from the Moon's shadow, and communication is re-established, the world can once again connect with these pioneering astronauts, ready to share their historic views of the lunar landscape.
