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Astronauts Go Dark Behind Moon
7 Apr
Summary
- Artemis II crew will experience a 40-minute communications blackout.
- Astronauts will be most isolated humans in deep space history.
- Mission reaches farthest point from Earth, surpassing Apollo 13.
The Artemis II mission is set to achieve a significant milestone as its crew enters a communications blackout when slipping behind the far side of the Moon. This period of signal loss, expected to last about 40 minutes, will render the astronauts more isolated than any humans in deep space history.
This unprecedented event occurs as the spacecraft loses its direct line of sight to Earth, with the Moon physically blocking all satellite communications. Ground control anticipates no specific dangers but has prepared for contingencies, including astronauts practicing essential tasks in their bulky suits.
During the blackout, the Artemis II crew will witness never-before-seen views of the Moon's far side. A key moment will be reaching their farthest point from Earth at 252,760 miles, a record exceeding Apollo 13's distance. The mission also involves tracking historic Apollo sites and scouting future landing zones.
