Artemis II crew lose contact with Earth - what is happening with Moon mission

Artemis II crew lose contact with Earth - what is happening with Moon missionThe four astronauts on the historic Artemis II are expected to reach the far side of the moon tonight but they could lose contact with Earth while thereNewsElizabeta Ranxburgaj07:45, 06 Apr 2026Updated 07:51, 06 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesThe crew onboard the Artemis II mission(Image: NASA/AFP via Getty Images)The astronauts on Artemis II will soon be the humans to be furthest away from Earth, but they will also lose contact with home.‌These astronauts are hurtling towards the Moon and they are expected to reach the far side, at around 11.47pm UK time today. Despite this incredible moment being just hours away, the astronauts will lose contact with Earth for around 40 minutes this evening.‌Throughout their journey, since Wednesday, the crew has had constant contact with the NASA team back in Houston, Texas, but soon the four astronauts on board will be completely alone in space. Left with their own thoughts and feelings as they travel through the darkness of space together.‌View 3 ImagesMission specialist Christina Koch looking back at earth through the window of the Orion spacecraft(Image: NASA/AFP via Getty Images)READ MORE: Artemis II crew left gutted after suffering major Chappell Roan blunderREAD MORE: Artemis II's spectacular journey in photos as crew glimpses far side of moonWhen they team passes behind the Moon, contact will be lost with Earth because the Moon itself will block communication between the spacecraft and home. Apollo 11's Michael Collins, more than 50 years ago, also experienced this signal loss while he stayed in the command module when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took the first human steps on the moon, back in 1969.Collins was completely alone in the spacecraft while it orbited the Moon and he lost contact with Earth for 48 minutes, when it passed the far side. On today's mission, Artemis pilot Victor Glover, speaking to the BBC before they set off, revea...