In brief
NASA's Artemis II mission will see astronauts temporarily lose contact with Earth for about 40 minutes as they pass behind the Moon. This moment marks both a challenge and an opportunity, allowing the crew to reflect and engage in lunar observations without external communication. As mission control holds its breath, the astronauts prepare for this profound experience of isolation, reminiscent of past missions such as Apollo 11.
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 the BBC: “When we're behind the Moon, out of contact with everybody, let's take that as an opportunity. Let's pray, hope, send your good thoughts and feelings that we get back in contact with the crew.”
More than 50 years ago, Apollo astronauts also experienced isolation due to a loss of signal during their missions. Perhaps none more so than Apollo 11's Michael Collins, who described feeling truly alone while orbiting the Moon.
Upon the loss of contact, the astronauts will dedicate their time to lunar observation – taking images, studying the Moon's geology, and simply gazing at its beauty. When the signal is re-established, the world will breathe a collective sigh of relief, eager to hear updates from the history-making crew and view the incredible sights they've captured.
