The Artemis 2 mission is experiencing a communications blackout lasting 40 minutes as the spacecraft passes behind the Moon. The blackout is scheduled to begin at around 23:47pm UK time (18:47pm EDT) today, marking the first time the crew will lose contact with mission control in Houston, Texas, since their journey began on April 1.
The loss of signal occurs because the Moon itself blocks radio and laser signals used for constant communication with Earth. During this period, the astronauts plan to use the silence for prayer. Artemis pilot Victor Glover told the BBC: 'When we're behind the Moon, out of contact with everybody, let's take that as an opportunity. Let's pray, hope, send your good thoughts and feelings that we get back in contact with the crew.'
On Earth, the Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall is tracking the Orion capsule and relaying information to NASA. Chief technology officer Matt Cosby said the team will be 'slightly nervous' as communication ceases, but excited when contact resumes. 'For a sustainable presence on the Moon, you need the full comms - you need the full 24 hours a day, even on the far side,' he added.
The Artemis 2 mission is the first human journey to lunar orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. During Apollo 11, Michael Collins lost contact with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin for 48 minutes as they landed on the Moon. In his memoir, Collins described feeling 'truly alone' but not scared, noting the silence offered a break from constant requests from mission control.
