iPhones Approved for Artemis II Moon Mission

NASA allows astronauts to use latest iPhone models on historic lunar voyage

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:44pm

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A highly detailed, glowing 3D macro illustration of an iPhone 17 Pro Max floating in zero gravity, surrounded by a halo of neon cyan and magenta lights, conceptually representing the integration of consumer technology with modern spaceflight.The latest iPhone models have been approved by NASA for use on the historic Artemis II mission, allowing astronauts to capture and share stunning imagery from their journey to the Moon.Boulder Today

For the first time, NASA has approved the use of the latest iPhone models by astronauts on the Artemis II mission to the Moon. The crew will use the iPhone 17 Pro Max to capture photos and videos during the historic flight, marking a shift in NASA's traditionally rigorous hardware approval process for spaceflight.

Why it matters

The inclusion of consumer-grade smartphones on this high-profile mission signals a new era of flexibility and adaptability for NASA, as the agency seeks to leverage the latest mobile technologies to enhance the astronauts' experience and engagement with the public during the mission.

The details

About four hours into the Artemis II flight, a silver iPhone 17 Pro Max was spotted floating inside the Orion spacecraft's cockpit, passed between the astronauts. NASA provided each crew member with an iPhone during their pre-launch quarantine, though the phones are limited to photography and video capture, without internet or Bluetooth connectivity. In addition to the iPhones, the Orion capsule is also equipped with Nikon D5 cameras and GoPro Hero 11 action cams.

  • The Artemis II mission launched on April 3, 2026.
  • The iPhone was first spotted in the spacecraft about 4 hours into the flight.

The players

Jeremy Hansen

One of the four astronauts on the Artemis II mission.

Reid Wiseman

One of the four astronauts on the Artemis II mission.

Victor Glover

One of the four astronauts on the Artemis II mission.

Christina Koch

One of the four astronauts on the Artemis II mission.

Jared Isaacman

NASA Administrator who discussed the agency's decision to allow astronauts to use smartphones on the mission.

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What they’re saying

“We are giving our crews the tools to capture special moments for their families and share inspiring images and video with the world.”

— Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator

“Everything floats around in space. In order to attach anything anywhere, things usually have Velcro. It goes so far as every single pen and the cap of the pen.”

— Tobias Niederwieser, Assistant Research Professor, BioServe Space Technologies

What’s next

NASA plans to continue evaluating the use of consumer electronics like smartphones for future deep space missions, as the agency seeks to balance safety and reliability with the need to provide astronauts with modern tools and the ability to engage the public.

The takeaway

The inclusion of iPhones on the Artemis II mission represents a significant shift in NASA's traditionally cautious approach to approving hardware for spaceflight, reflecting the agency's efforts to leverage consumer technologies and enhance the astronauts' experience and public engagement during historic voyages to the Moon.