NASA announced it has reestablished contact with the Artemis 2 team after a 40-minute signal loss while passing behind the Moon, and has begun recording images and studying the far side of the lunar surface from perspectives never before seen by humans.
On 7 Apr 2026 GMT+7, NASA revealed that mission control regained communication with the Artemis 2 astronauts after an anticipated signal loss of about 40 minutes while the Orion spacecraft passed behind the Moon.
NASA scientists explained that this communication blackout is normal because the Moon blocks signals between the spacecraft and Earth. Before the signal was lost, astronaut Victor Glover told mission control, "See you on the other side," while Christina Koch said after contact resumed, "We will always choose Earth and each other."
Astronomy experts noted that such communication gaps are both exciting and concerning, reminiscent of Apollo-era missions when contact was awaited anxiously. However, during the blackout, the crew continued their lunar exploration for over six hours, capturing images and studying the far side of the Moon from angles never before seen by humans.
Previously, the four Artemis 2 crew members set a record as the humans who have traveled farthest from Earth and are currently orbiting the Moon, marking the first such mission in over 50 years. Afterward, the Orion spacecraft will return to Earth on a free-return trajectory, taking approximately four days without requiring additional fuel for major course corrections.
Source: AFP