Lunar Link: Artemis II’s Global Network Keeps Crew Connected
NASA’s Artemis II will carry four astronauts around the Moon with comms routed through the Near Space Network and the Deep Space Network under the SCaN program; the mission will test the Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System (laser links) to move data faster than radio, while a ~41-minute blackout behind the Moon is managed via data compression and rapid reacquisition by DSN; NASA and partners are also pursuing a Lunar Relay and Navigation System to eliminate blackouts for Artemis III and beyond.
