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, few have ventured as far from Earth as these astronauts. Their journey has been sustained by a steady link to mission control in Houston, Texas. The soothing voices from NASA have provided a reassuring tether to home. But this connection is about to vanish. When the crew passes behind the Moon at approximately 23:47 BST on Monday, the Moon will block radio and laser signals, cutting off communication for roughly 40 minutes.

A Legacy of Isolation

Over five decades ago, Apollo astronauts faced similar moments of disconnection. Among them, Michael Collins of Apollo 11 stood out. While Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the lunar surface, Collins orbited alone, experiencing a 48-minute silence as his capsule moved behind the Moon’s far side. In his 1974 memoir *Carrying the Fire*, he described the sensation of “true solitude” and “being isolated from any known life,” yet noted no fear or loneliness. Later, he reflected that the quiet offered a respite from mission control’s constant instructions.

“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

Monitoring the Silence

Back on Earth, the blackout will test those responsible for maintaining communication. At Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall, a massive dish is capturing signals from the Orion capsule, tracking its position and transmitting data to NASA headquarters. Matt Cosby, Goonhilly’s chief technology officer, shared with the BBC: “This is the first time we’re tracking a spacecraft with humans on it. We’ll 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

Efforts are underway to make such blackouts a relic of the past. Cosby emphasized that sustained lunar operations require “full comms” — 24-hour connectivity, even on the far side. “For a sustainable presence on the Moon, you need the full 24 hours a day, even on the far side, because the far side will want to be explored as well,” he explained. Initiatives like the European Space Agency’s Moonlight aim to deploy a satellite network around the Moon, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity for future missions.

Reflection in the Dark

During the 40-minute blackout, the Artemis crew will have the chance to focus entirely on the Moon. They’ll engage in lunar observation, capturing images, analyzing geological features, and simply marveling at the celestial landscape. When the signal returns, the world will share in the relief. The astronauts will then transmit their extraordinary perspectives, bridging the vast distance with stories of their journey’s splendor.