The 40 minutes when the Artemis crew loses contact with the Earth

The 40 Minutes When the Artemis Crew Loses Contact with the Earth

As the Earth appears smaller in their rearview mirror, the Artemis astronauts have remained in constant touch with mission control in Houston, Texas. The steady communication from NASA has provided a reassuring tether to home. But this link is set to vanish as the crew passes behind the Moon at 23:47 BST on Monday. During these 40 minutes, the astronauts will be momentarily isolated, each grappling with their own reflections while navigating the vast emptiness of space.

A Moment of Solitude

Victor Glover, an Artemis pilot, expressed his hope that the world would seize this time for unity.

“When we’re behind the Moon, out of contact with everybody, let’s take that as an opportunity,” he told BBC News prior to the mission. “Let’s pray, hope, and send your good thoughts and feelings that we get back in contact with the crew.”

This experience echoes one faced by Apollo astronauts decades earlier. In 1969, Michael Collins orbited the Moon alone while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on its surface. Collins’ command module disappeared from view for 48 minutes as it crossed the Moon’s far side, leaving him in profound silence.

Collins recounted the moment in his 1974 memoir Carrying the Fire, describing the feeling of being “truly alone” and “isolated from any known life.” Yet he admitted no fear or loneliness. Later interviews highlighted the serenity of the radio silence, which offered a respite from the relentless instructions from mission control.

The Earth’s Watchful Eye

On Earth, the blackout will test those responsible for maintaining the link. At Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall—located in the south-west of England—a massive antenna has been tracking the Orion capsule, transmitting its location to NASA headquarters. Matt Cosby, Goonhilly’s chief technology officer, shared his anticipation:

“This is the first time we’re tracking a spacecraft with humans on it. 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 that they’re all safe.”

Looking to the Future

While these communication gaps are notable, they may soon be history. Cosby emphasized that reliable, uninterrupted contact will be vital as NASA and global space agencies establish a Moon base and expand exploration.

“For a sustainable presence on the Moon, you need the full comms—full 24 hours a day, even on the far side, because the far side will want to be explored as well,” he said.

Projects like the European Space Agency’s Moonlight initiative aim to deploy a satellite network around the Moon, ensuring continuous coverage and eliminating such blackouts in the future.

During the 40-minute window, the Artemis crew will focus entirely on lunar observation, capturing images, analyzing geology, and marveling at the Moon’s beauty. When the signal is re-established, the world will exhale in relief, eager to hear the astronauts’ extraordinary perspectives from the lunar frontier.