The Artemis 2 mission is set to experience a period of lost communication, known as a communications blackout, as the astronauts onboard prepare to engage in prayer while their spacecraft loses contact with ground control for a duration of 40 minutes. This blackout is expected to occur as the astronauts pass behind the Moon at approximately 23:47pm UK time (18:47pm EDT) today, marking the first instance of the crew losing contact with mission control in Houston, Texas, since their mission commenced on April 1.
The interruption in communication is due to the obstruction of radio and laser signals by the Moon itself, preventing the usual continuous communication between the team and Earth. Artemis pilot Victor Glover has mentioned that the team plans to utilize this silence as an opportunity to unite and pray for a successful reconnection with the crew when communication is reestablished.
On Earth, personnel working to maintain contact with the spacecraft acknowledge feeling “slightly nervous” during the temporary pause in communication. The Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall has been actively collecting signals from the Orion capsule and relaying information back to NASA headquarters.
According to Chief Technology Officer Matt Cosby, this will be the team’s first experience tracking a spacecraft with human occupants. As the spacecraft disappears behind the Moon, there will be a mix of nervousness and excitement among the team, knowing that the crew’s safety is paramount.
Cosby emphasized the importance of continuous communication for sustaining a presence on the Moon, underscoring the necessity of full communication capabilities around the clock, even on the far side of the Moon to facilitate exploration.
The Artemis 2 mission represents the first human voyage to lunar orbit since the Apollo 17 mission in December 1972, where the astronauts also encountered darkness when the signal was lost while traversing the Moon. Previous historic missions, like Apollo 11, saw instances where contact was temporarily lost with astronauts and mission control during critical phases.
Reflecting on past experiences, astronauts have shared insights into the unique feelings of solitude and detachment faced during such communication blackouts, emphasizing the opportunity for introspection and respite from the constant chatter with mission control.
