Artemis II: The Moment of Silence Behind the Moon

Mon Apr 06 2026 16:46:56 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

As the Artemis II crew embarks on their unprecedented journey, they will experience a critical 40-minute communication blackout while passing behind the Moon, invoking reflections on isolation and the vastness of space.

The Artemis II mission will face a 40-minute communication blackout as astronauts pass behind the Moon, severing connections with mission control. This moment of solitude presents a unique opportunity for the crew to focus on lunar exploration, similar to the experiences of Apollo astronauts in the past. The upcoming blackout symbolizes a profound trigger for introspection and interaction with the Moon, as well as the challenges of maintaining communication during space exploration.

No-one will have been further from home than the Artemis astronauts.

But as the Earth shrinks ever smaller in their rear-view mirror, they've had a constant connection with mission control in Houston, Texas. The calm words from the Nasa team have given the crew a comforting link with home.

That link is about to be lost.

As the astronauts pass behind the Moon at about 23:47 BST (18:47 EDT) on Monday, the radio and laser signals that allow the back-and-forth communication between the spacecraft and Earth will be blocked by the Moon itself.

For about 40 minutes, the four astronauts will be alone, each with their own thoughts and feelings, travelling through the darkness of space. A profound moment of solitude and silence.

Artemis pilot Victor Glover told us he hopes the world will use the time to come together. When we're behind the Moon, out of contact with everybody, let's take that as an opportunity, he said. Let's pray, hope, send your good thoughts and feelings that we get back in contact with the crew.

More than 50 years ago, the Apollo astronauts also experienced the isolation brought by a loss of signal during their missions to the Moon. Perhaps none more so than Apollo 11's Michael Collins, who felt truly alone while orbiting the Moon.

During this time without contact, the Artemis astronauts will dedicate themselves to lunar observation, capturing images and studying the Moon's geology. Upon re-establishing communication with Earth, they will be able to share their incredible insights and experiences with mission control and the world.

Programmes designed for uninterrupted communication during space missions are being developed to ensure that future astronauts on the Moon can stay connected without losing the profound sense of exploration that arises during disconnection.