The 40 minutes when the Artemis crew loses contact with the Earth

As the Artemis astronauts venture deeper into space, they face a moment of disconnection from Earth. This brief period, lasting approximately 40 minutes, will occur when the crew passes behind the Moon at 23:47 BST on Monday. During this time, radio and laser signals will be obstructed by the lunar body, severing communication with mission control in Houston, Texas. The silence will leave the four astronauts isolated, reflecting on their journey through the vast expanse of space.

While this solitude may feel profound, it is a familiar experience for space explorers. Over 50 years ago, Apollo astronauts encountered similar moments of radio silence during their lunar missions. Notably, Michael Collins, who orbited the Moon alone during Apollo 11, described a 48-minute gap in contact with both the lunar surface and Earth. His account, shared in his 1974 memoir *Carrying the Fire*, captured the emotional weight of that isolation.

“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.”

Victor Glover, an Artemis pilot, expressed the hope that this period of silence could inspire global unity. The upcoming blackout will allow the crew to focus entirely on lunar activities, such as capturing images and analyzing the Moon’s geological features. These observations will be critical as they navigate the dark side of the Moon.

On Earth, mission control faces heightened anticipation during the signal dropout. At Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall, a massive antenna tracks the Orion capsule, ensuring precise positioning and relaying data to NASA HQ. Matt Cosby, Goonhilly’s chief technology officer, noted the significance of this moment: “We’re going to get slightly nervous as it goes behind the Moon, and then we’ll be very excited when we see it again, because we know they’re all safe.”

Future plans aim to eliminate such communication gaps. Projects like the European Space Agency’s Moonlight initiative seek to deploy a satellite network around the Moon, enabling uninterrupted contact even on its far side. For a sustainable presence on the Moon, continuous connectivity is vital, as emphasized by Cosby: “You need the full 24 hours a day, even on the far side, because it will want to be explored as well.”

When the signal reestablishes after the blackout, the world will experience a collective moment of relief. The Artemis crew’s return will bring not only a restoration of communication but also the chance to share their extraordinary perspectives from the Moon’s surface with those on Earth.