Artemis II: Communication Blackout for Astronauts Orbiting the Moon
Photo source, Nasa/Reid Wiseman
Astronauts on the Artemis mission will travel farther from Earth than ever before.
They are millions of miles away and see Earth as a small sphere. Although they have been in constant contact with the control center in Houston, Texas, the NASA team’s communication has not felt like the warmth of home to them.
However, this communication will soon be disrupted.
On Monday night at 23:47 BST (Tuesday 04:32 Nepal time), when the spacecraft orbits behind the Moon’s surface, communication between the spacecraft and Earth will be interrupted.
The Moon will block radio and laser signals for about 40 minutes. The four members of the Artemis crew will spend roughly 40 minutes alone in the darkness of space.
Artemis pilot Victor Glover hopes this period will unite the world.
“Let’s view the time we are out of contact behind the Moon as an opportunity,” he said ahead of the spacecraft’s unveiling. “Let’s pray for the crew’s safe return to communication and send our best wishes.”
What Happened 50 Years Ago
Photo source, NASA
Apollo astronauts faced communication blackouts and isolation on the Moon 50 years ago as well.
Michael Collins of Apollo 11 might have been the only one to experience this particular challenge.
In 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made history by stepping onto the Moon, while Collins orbited alone in the Command Module.
When Collins’ spacecraft passed behind the Moon, communication was cut off from both the Moon landers and Earth’s mission control for approximately 48 minutes.
In his 1967 memoir, ‘Carrying the Fire’, he recalled feeling “completely alone” and “separated from all life”, though he experienced neither fear nor anxiety.
In later interviews, he described feeling peace in the radio silence and relief from the instructions of mission control.
Tension on Earth
Photo source, Reuters
When communication is cut off, the team tracking the spacecraft on Earth becomes anxious.
A large antenna at the Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall, southwest England, tracks signals received from the Orion capsule and relays the spacecraft’s position to NASA headquarters.
“This is the first time we’re tracking a crewed spacecraft,” said Matt Kozby, the station’s chief technical officer.
“When the spacecraft reaches behind the Moon, we get a bit nervous. But we’re also excited when contact is re-established because we know they’re safe.”
What the Future Holds
It is believed that such communication blackouts can be eliminated.
According to Kozby, as NASA and other space exploration agencies establish camps on the Moon and expand exploration, this problem may occur.
“Full communication is essential for a long-term presence on the Moon—24/7 coverage, even when behind the Moon, because exploration must happen there too,” he stated.
Projects like the European Space Agency’s (ESA) ‘Moonlight’ are deploying satellites to the Moon to develop a network that ensures reliable, continuous communication throughout the lunar surface.
Currently, Artemis astronauts will focus fully on the Moon during the communication blackout period.
During this time, they will observe the Moon’s beauty, take photographs, and conduct scientific studies.
Once they emerge from the Moon’s shadow and re-establish contact with Earth, the world will breathe a collective sigh of relief.
The astronauts will then be able to share their experiences with everyone on Earth.
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