Artemis II astronauts among first to take smartphones to space

NASA's new policy allows astronauts to bring personal devices on missions beyond Earth's orbit.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 6:06pm

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A bold, abstract painting in soft earth tones featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals, representing the complex forces and concepts of space travel.The Artemis II mission will push the boundaries of human space exploration, with astronauts using personal smartphones to capture and share their historic journey.San Diego Today

NASA's Artemis II mission will mark the first time government astronauts are permitted to bring their personal smartphones, including iPhones and Androids, on a spaceflight. The four-person crew - the first woman, first Black man, and first Canadian to venture near the moon - will use the devices to capture and share images and video of their historic journey. This policy change follows a similar update for the recent SpaceX Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station.

Why it matters

Allowing astronauts to use personal smartphones in space represents a shift in NASA's long-standing policies around the technology and equipment permitted on missions. This change is meant to give astronauts more flexibility to document and share their experiences with the public in real-time, rather than relying solely on professional-grade cameras and video equipment.

The details

The Artemis II astronauts - NASA's Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch and Victor Glover, as well as the Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen - will all have their personal smartphones with them during the 10-day flight around the moon. NASA says the devices went through a certification process to ensure they will be safe to use in space. This marks the second mission, after the recent SpaceX Crew-12 flight to the International Space Station, where NASA astronauts have been permitted to bring iPhones, Androids and other consumer-grade devices.

  • Artemis II is scheduled to launch on April 1, 2026.
  • The crew is due to reach the moon on April 6, 2026 for a historic flyby.
  • The mission is projected to end with a water landing off the coast of San Diego, California on April 10, 2026.

The players

Artemis II

NASA's upcoming mission that will send four astronauts on a flight around the moon, marking humanity's first return to the lunar vicinity since the Apollo era ended in 1972.

Reid Wiseman

A NASA astronaut who is part of the Artemis II crew.

Christina Koch

A NASA astronaut who is part of the Artemis II crew and will become the first woman to venture near the moon.

Victor Glover

A NASA astronaut who is part of the Artemis II crew and will become the first Black man to venture near the moon.

Jeremy Hansen

A Canadian Space Agency astronaut who is part of the Artemis II crew and will become the first Canadian to venture near the moon.

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What’s next

The Artemis II astronauts are expected to thoroughly document their journey around the moon, capturing images and video to share with the public. Their mission will serve as a vital test flight before NASA sends astronauts to land on the lunar surface as early as 2028.

The takeaway

NASA's decision to allow astronauts to bring personal smartphones on space missions represents a significant shift in the agency's approach to technology and communication. This change will enable the Artemis II crew and future astronauts to provide the public with a more intimate, real-time look at the experience of spaceflight, helping to inspire and engage a new generation of space enthusiasts.