The only time we’ll lose connectivity
with Earth will be when we go
around the far side of the Moon.
During our mission, we’ll have
contact with Mission Control
almost during the entire mission,
if it goes according to plan.
We’ll use radio communication
primarily to talk to Mission Control.
And we’ll use that communication
from time to time
to communicate with all of you.
So we’ll have downlinks and
we’ll set up a camera, and we’ll
route it through the Deep Space
Network, which is what NASA uses
to communicate with its spacecraft
that are out in deep space.
We’ll use that same network, and we’ll
be able to send you videos, we’ll be able
to have a video conference with you
and give you an update on our mission.
And then we’ll also have the opportunity
to speak with our families
at least once, maybe twice, during
the mission, which will be really special.
The only time we’ll lose
connectivity with Earth will be
when we go around the
far side of the Moon.
For approximately 45 minutes,
we’ll be in the shadow of the Moon
with respect to communications.
And so we won’t be able to talk to Earth.
We’re testing a system on Artemis II.
It’s a laser-enabled communication system.
And that would have
an increased bandwidth.
And so that would allow us to send
and receive more information
than we can over the Deep Space
Network, for example.
And I know lots of people are
wondering, what about wifi?
And will we have connectivity to the Internet?
And the answer is no, not really.
We can have wifi in the vehicle.
Some of our devices can leverage wifi,
but it’s just a local network here,
and won’t have access to
the Internet back home.