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Artemis II Crew Faces 40-Minute Lunar Blackout
6 Apr
Summary
- Artemis II astronauts will lose contact for 40 minutes tonight.
- The mission will break the record for human distance from Earth.
- Astronauts will observe the moon's near and far sides closely.
The Artemis II mission is on its final approach to the moon, with the crew preparing for a flyby that will set a new human distance record from Earth. A significant challenge will occur when the spacecraft passes behind the moon, resulting in a 40-minute communications blackout. During this time, NASA's Deep Space Network will be unable to connect with the Orion capsule, leaving the astronauts without contact.
The mission, aiming to break the record previously held by Apollo 13, will see the astronauts travel an unprecedented distance. The crew will spend approximately seven hours observing the moon, divided into shifts to maximize window access. This intensive observation period is designed to gather valuable data and imagery.
Communication is expected to be re-established after the blackout, with the crew then continuing their journey back to Earth over four days. The overall voyage is a crucial step towards NASA's goal of returning humans to the lunar surface in 2028. The mission will conclude with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
