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Artemis astronauts prepare for historic communication loss
The four astronauts aboard NASA's Artemis mission will lose contact with Earth for approximately 40 minutes as their spacecraft passes behind the Moon late Monday. The blackout, set to begin at 23:47 BST (18:47 EDT), will sever radio and laser signals, leaving the crew in unprecedented isolation.
A moment of solitude in deep space
As the Moon blocks direct communication with mission control in Houston, the astronauts will experience a rare silence. Pilot Victor Glover urged the public to use the moment for reflection. "When we're behind the Moon, out of contact with everybody, let's take that as an opportunity," he told BBC News before launch. "Let's pray, hope, send your good thoughts and feelings that we get back in contact with the crew."
Echoes of Apollo's lonely orbits
The blackout revives memories of the Apollo era, when astronauts faced similar isolation. Michael Collins, command module pilot for Apollo 11, spent 48 minutes alone behind the Moon while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on its surface. In his memoir Carrying the Fire, Collins described the experience as "truly alone" but free from fear, noting the tranquility of escaping mission control's constant chatter.
Earth-based teams brace for silence
On the ground, engineers at Cornwall's Goonhilly Earth Station will monitor the blackout with heightened tension. The facility's antenna has tracked the Orion capsule's journey, relaying data to NASA. "This is the first time we're tracking a spacecraft with humans on it," said Matt Cosby, Goonhilly's chief technology officer. "We'll be very excited when we see it again, because we know that they're all safe."
The future of lunar communication
While brief blackouts may seem routine, experts warn they're incompatible with long-term Moon exploration. Cosby emphasized the need for continuous coverage, especially for missions targeting the Moon's far side. "For a sustainable presence on the Moon, you need full comms-24 hours a day," he said. The European Space Agency's Moonlight initiative aims to deploy a satellite network to eliminate such gaps.
Science and wonder during the blackout
During the 40-minute silence, the Artemis crew will focus on lunar observation, capturing images and studying the Moon's geology. When contact resumes, they'll share their findings and the breathtaking views with Earth. For now, the world awaits their safe return to the airwaves.
