The Artemis II astronauts are carrying smartphones to space for the first time. These devices are four units of iPhone 17 Max. They are not experimental devices, but modified consumer devices approved with a detailed safety process.
These iPhones have a limited role. They can be used to capture photos and videos during the mission. Connectivity features such as internet, Bluetooth, and other wireless systems are disabled, as the objective is documentation rather than communication.
Sending smartphones to space requires extensive evaluation, and NASA treated them like any other onboard equipment, ensuring they would not pose risks in a sealed and controlled environment.
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A four-step protocol was followed for the clearance process. First, the hardware was introduced to a safety panel. This was followed by hazard identification, where risks such as glass breakage, loose components, and material behavior in microgravity were assessed.
Following that, mitigation strategies were developed to address these risks. Finally, validation confirmed that the fixes worked as intended. Even a cracked screen was considered a potential risk, since fragments could float freely in zero gravity.
A key consideration was durability. The device uses Ceramic Shield glass, but concerns extend beyond strength. Factors such as heat dissipation, battery stability, and storage in microgravity were also evaluated.
Mounting the phones inside the spacecraft required simple but effective solutions. Some units were secured using Velcro, while others were stored in astronaut flight suits. These adjustments highlight how even routine handling changes in space.
NASA has shared spectacular shots of astronauts Christina Koch and Reid Wiseman looking back towards their home planet, taken using iPhones. The astronauts are also sharing photos on social media.
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The smartphones are not the primary imaging tools onboard. Astronauts are also equipped with professional cameras, including GoPro units and Nikon systems. The iPhones serve as secondary tools, and signal a shift towards integrating familiar technology into space missions.
NASA has also shared an image of the moon taken by the Artemis II crew, with the Orientale basin visible on the lunar surface. This is apparently the first time the basin has been seen in its entirety with human eyes.
The mission is currently on its fourth day, and the trip is expected to last 10 days. Once the team of astronauts has gone around the moon and started coming back, they will have gone further away from Earth than any other human beings before them — 252,757 miles or 406,773 kilometers.