NASA astronauts will soon carry Apple iPhones on missions, including a trip around the Moon in March, marking a significant shift in the agency's approach to technology and its expanding commercial partnerships. This decision means iPhones will travel farther into space than ever before, allowing crews to capture and share their experiences in new ways. The initiative begins with the SpaceX Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station this February and continues with the Artemis II lunar flyby mission in March.[ground+3]
A New Era for Space Photography
This move represents a departure from NASA's historically strict rules on personal devices in space. For years, astronauts relied on specialized, often older, camera equipment. Now, modern smartphones, including iPhones, are being qualified for extended use in orbit and beyond.NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized the human element of this change. "We are giving our crews the tools to capture special moments for their families and share inspiring images and video with the world," Isaacman said.[ground+4]
The decision also reflects a broader push to modernize NASA's technology approval processes. Isaacman noted that the agency "challenged long-standing processes and qualified modern hardware for spaceflight on an expedited timeline."This operational urgency aims to support high-value science and research in space and on the lunar surface.While this is a first for NASA spacecraft, commercial space flights have safely used smartphones for about ten years.NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens confirmed this, stating, "This is a first for us, although it has been done safely aboard commercial space flights for around a decade now."[seekingalpha+10]
Artemis II: A Stepping Stone to Lunar Landings
The Artemis II mission, set for launch in March, will take a crew of three American astronauts and one Canadian astronaut on a 10-day journey around the Moon.This mission will not land on the lunar surface but will instead orbit the Moon, passing its far side, to test critical hardware and systems.This extensive testing is crucial for future Artemis missions that aim to land humans on the Moon and establish a sustainable lunar presence.The mission was initially planned for early February but faced a delay to March due to hydrogen leaks during a fueling test.[seekingalpha+11]
The inclusion of iPhones on Artemis II will expand the possibilities for visual recording. Astronauts can use the devices to capture personal moments and images of the lunar environment, complementing the professional cameras already planned for the mission.This approach also allows for more spontaneous imagery, including selfies and short-form videos, which can help connect the public more directly with space exploration.Historically, consumer phones have flown on private missions, and two iPhone 4s even flew on the final Space Shuttle mission in 2011, where they were used for scientific experiments on the International Space Station.[en+3]
NASA's Growing Commercial Partnerships
The integration of iPhones into NASA's crewed missions highlights the agency's increasing reliance on commercial partners and off-the-shelf technology. This strategy is a key part of NASA's broader Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative.Through CLPS, NASA contracts American companies to deliver scientific and technological payloads to the lunar surface.These contracts, which have a cumulative maximum value of $2.6 billion through 2028, allow NASA to rapidly acquire lunar delivery services from commercial vendors.[nasa+7]
Companies like Intuitive Machines are examples of CLPS partners. Intuitive Machines has been contracted for multiple lunar landing missions using its Nova-C landers.Their IM-1 mission in February 2024 achieved the first soft landing on the Moon by a commercial company.While their subsequent IM-2 mission in March 2025 faced challenges with its lander touching down on its side, these commercial endeavors are vital for testing technologies and gathering data to support human missions under the Artemis program.The use of commercial devices like iPhones aligns with this philosophy of leveraging industry innovation to accelerate space exploration goals.[en+6]
The Future of Consumer Tech in Space
This shift towards using modern smartphones in space signals a broader cultural change within NASA, fostering faster adoption of commercial technology.If smartphones perform well on Artemis II and other missions, similar approaches could extend to future lunar surface missions and long-duration flights.This could shape how crews communicate, capture data, and interact with the public, making space exploration more accessible and relatable.[ibtimes+2]
However, any smartphone approved for spaceflight must undergo rigorous testing to ensure safety and performance. This includes checks for radiation characteristics, battery thermal behavior, vibration resistance, and out-gassing of materials in a vacuum.While modern iPhones update annually, posing historical challenges for qualification, NASA's new approach suggests a willingness to expedite the assessment of contemporary models while maintaining established safety protocols.This move not only provides astronauts with familiar and powerful tools but also pushes NASA to adapt and integrate cutting-edge commercial solutions into its ambitious plans for lunar and deep-space exploration.[ibtimes+1]
The integration of Apple iPhones into NASA's upcoming crewed missions underscores a new chapter where commercial technology and streamlined processes play a crucial role in advancing human exploration of the Moon and beyond.
