SouthernWorldwide.com – The Artemis II astronauts have officially entered a tense 40-minute communication blackout as their spacecraft passed behind the far side of the Moon.
NASA confirmed that the signal loss began at approximately 6:44 p.m. ET and is expected to last for about 40 minutes.
During this significant period, the crew, consisting of Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, became the most isolated humans in deep space history.
This communication interruption occurred because the spacecraft lost its direct line of sight to Earth, with the Moon completely obstructing satellite signals.
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Communication is anticipated to be re-established around 7:25 p.m. ET, a moment referred to as “Earthrise,” as Earth reappears over the Moon’s horizon.
NASA ground control has consistently stated that they do not foresee any specific dangers during this mission but are fully prepared for any potential unforeseen events.
As a preparatory measure, the astronauts recently practiced performing essential tasks, such as consuming protein shakes or administering medication, while wearing their bulky orange launch and entry suits. This drill was designed for scenarios where they might need to remain in these suits for an extended duration.
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Furthermore, NASA highlighted that the Orion spacecraft is equipped with a system capable of continuously pumping oxygen to maintain cabin pressure in the event of a puncture, providing the crew with sufficient time to safely don their pressurized suits.
The Artemis II crew is also set to achieve several major milestones during this blackout period, including being the first humans to witness never-before-seen views of the lunar far side.
At 7:05 p.m. ET, the spacecraft is projected to reach its farthest point from Earth, a distance of 252,760 miles. This achievement will surpass the record set by Apollo 13 by approximately 4,105 miles.
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When the spacecraft is closest to the lunar surface, at about 4,070 miles away, the Moon is expected to appear roughly the size of a basketball held at arm’s length, according to NASA’s descriptions.
Although ground control and the science evaluation room will be unable to communicate with the astronauts during this specific time, the crew will continue to follow their lunar targeting plan and conduct scientific observations throughout the blackout.
The astronauts are scheduled to observe historic Apollo landing sites, scout potential future landing locations, and capture unique photographs of nearby planets, including Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Saturn. They will also have the opportunity to witness a solar eclipse from the Orion spacecraft’s distinctive vantage point.
Earlier in the afternoon on Monday, the Artemis II crew successfully broke a distance record from Earth previously held by Apollo 13 in 1970, NASA announced.
