Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleBrittney DonovanMonday 06 April 2026 21:15 BSTFor about 40 minutes, the four astronauts will be alone (AP)Artemis II astronauts are bracing for a communications blackout that will see them lose contact with Earth during their moon flyby on Monday night.“When Orion passes behind the Moon, starting at approximately 6:44 p.m. EST (11:44 p.m. BST), the mission will enter a planned communications blackout lasting about 40 minutes,” Nasa wrote in an update.“During this period, the Moon blocks the radio signals needed for the Deep Space Network to maintain contact with the spacecraft. Shortly after loss of signal, Orion is expected to make its closest approach at about 7:02 p.m. EST (12:02 a.m. BST), when it will be just 4,070 miles above the surface.”Nasa expects to resume communications with the Artemis II crew around 7:25 p.m. EST/12:25 a.m. BST.Another highlight of Monday night’s mission will be a solar eclipse that the crew will see toward the end of lunar observation, starting at 8:35 p.m. The astronauts will see the Sun disappear behind the Moon for nearly an hour.In fullArtemis II live updates: NASA astronauts are officially farther from earth than humans have ever beenThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in