no response to transmission

I think they're sending transmitting a message to LV-233, not Earth. David says 'maybe they didn't understand us'. And it's a Voyager type message, with lot's of information about Earth and Mankind

That's correct.

In a recent viewing I also question how far a signal was sent before there was a 'no response' answer. In the opening scene with David walking through a silent Prometheus it was just a few seconds before the 'no response ' answer was given. Since there was nobody around I assume that this really occurred (in movie terms). Maybe it was just a general radio signal but I could also assume it was being sent to base, the other moon or even a shadow ship sent soon after the Prometheus started her mission.

it was probably a standard message just to try and see if life was alive on the planet. all though i am not totally sure from how far out it was sent out. maybe it was activated at a certain distance out from the moon automatically

oh i see. that makes more sense.

dropyourlinen is right on (voyager type transmission sent to LV 223).

It is strange though how they had no communication with anyone....earth, space station or another space ship. But since I enjoy the movie so much I will say that we just don't see it.. I would have loved to see that the communication was somehow damaged or disrupted rather than just non existent.

from the point of view of weyland and his "people", it would be a liability for anyone on earth to know the details of their expedition. David is the ultimate cataloger/collater. What would they need people on earth for?