The 40 minutes when the Artemis crew loses contact with the Earth
The 40-Minute Silence of Artemis
As the Artemis crew ventures deeper into space, they will experience a rare moment of complete disconnection from Earth. This period, lasting approximately 40 minutes, occurs when the spacecraft passes behind the Moon at 23:47 BST on Monday. During this time, radio and laser signals that maintain communication with mission control in Houston will be obstructed by the Moon itself, leaving the astronauts in a state of temporary solitude.
The isolation will be profound, offering a stark contrast to the usual backdrop of mission control chatter. Each crew member will be left to their own reflections, gazing into the vast darkness of space. Victor Glover, one of the astronauts, expressed hope that this silence could inspire global unity.
“When we’re behind the Moon, out of contact with everybody, let’s take that as an opportunity,” he told BBC News. “Let’s pray, hope, and send your good thoughts and feelings so we can reconnect with the crew.”
A Legacy of Silence
Decades ago, Apollo astronauts faced similar challenges. Michael Collins of Apollo 11, who orbited the Moon while his crewmates landed on the surface, experienced a 48-minute communication blackout as his craft passed behind the Moon’s far side. In his 1974 memoir *Carrying the Fire*, he described feeling “truly alone” and “isolated from any known life,” yet he found a sense of peace in the absence of constant mission control updates.
Back on Earth, the blackout will test the vigilance of teams like those at Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall. There, a massive antenna tracks the Orion capsule, relaying its position data to NASA headquarters. Matt Cosby, the station’s chief technology officer, shared the anticipation:
“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 of Lunar Communication
While these temporary blackouts are inevitable, efforts are underway to eliminate them. Cosby emphasized the importance of uninterrupted communication for establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon. “You need full 24-hour coverage, even on the far side, because that’s where exploration will take place,” he explained.
Programs such as the European Space Agency’s Moonlight project aim to deploy a network of satellites around the Moon, ensuring continuous connectivity. For the Artemis astronauts, the blackout will serve as a focused time for lunar observation—capturing images, analyzing the Moon’s geology, and immersing in its silent beauty. When the signal returns, the world will welcome them with relief, eager to share in their extraordinary journey.
