Artemis II Crew to Experience Communication Blackout During Reentry

As NASA's Artemis II mission concludes its 10-day journey, the crew aboard the Orion spacecraft is preparing for reentry into Earth's atmosphere, culminating in a splashdown off the coast of San Diego, California, scheduled for Friday at 5:07 p.m. PT (8:07 p.m. ET). During reentry, the spacecraft will experience a planned six-minute communication blackout with Mission Control. This loss of signal occurs as Orion descends through Earth's atmosphere at speeds exceeding 24,000 mph, generating intense heat up to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The friction and compression create a plasma envelope around the spacecraft, preventing radio signals from penetrating. Retired NASA astronaut Barry "Butch" Wilmore explained that astronauts are trained to focus on monitoring onboard systems during such periods, emphasizing the importance of maintaining concentration despite the temporary loss of communication. The heat shield on Orion's underside is designed to protect the crew from the extreme temperatures during reentry. After passing through the blackout period, Orion will deploy parachutes to slow its descent, aiming for a safe splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.