Artemis II to Enter the Far Side of the Moon Tomorrow

[The Financial News] Artemis II, the first crewed lunar mission in 54 years, is about to lose contact with Earth. When humanity faces the far side of the Moon for the first time in history, its signal will be blocked by the Moon itself.
According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and other outlets, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced, "At 6:47 p.m. on the 6th (7:47 a.m. on the 7th, Korea time), communications with Artemis II will be cut off for about 40 minutes." Once the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (Orion MPCV), carrying four astronauts, passes behind the Moon, the lunar surface will block the radio signals needed to connect the deep space communications network and the spacecraft, making communication with Earth impossible.
At that point, the spacecraft will be flying around the Moon at an altitude of roughly 6,400 to 9,700 kilometers, and the astronauts will be able to look out the window and see the Moon with the naked eye, appearing about the size of a basketball. It will be a view no human being has ever witnessed directly before.
More than 50 years ago, Apollo 11 also lost contact with Earth. This occurred during the 48 minutes when Michael Collins, alone aboard the spacecraft in lunar orbit, passed behind the Moon while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were taking humanity’s first steps on the lunar surface.
Matt Cosby, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall, South West England, told the BBC, "This is the first time we have tracked a crewed spacecraft. We will be a little nervous when it goes behind the Moon, but when we see it again, we will be delighted to know that they are all safe."
whywani@fnnews.com Hong Chae-wan Reporter