During the power outage on Earth, maintaining communication with the spacecraft is critical for mission control teams.
At Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall, UK, a massive antenna captures signals from the Orion capsule, accurately tracking its journey and relaying vital information back to NASA headquarters.
Matt Cosby, Chief Technology Officer at Goonhilly, shared with the BBC: “This marks the first occasion we’ve tracked a manned spacecraft.”
“You may feel nervous as the spacecraft passes behind the moon, but it’s exhilarating to regain contact, knowing the crew is safe.”
Fortunately, experts believe that communication blackouts will soon be resolved. Cosby emphasizes the necessity for reliable contact as NASA and global space agencies plan to establish moon bases and enhance exploration efforts.
“A permanent lunar presence requires uninterrupted communications. Even on the moon’s far side, we need 24/7 connectivity to facilitate exploration,” he stated.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk