Houston, April 6, 2026. Astronauts aboard NASA’s Artemis II mission are using iPhone 17 Pro Max devices to document their voyage to the Moon. The crew has shared images taken with the smartphone, including a striking photo of mission commander Reid Wiseman gazing at Earth through the Orion capsule window. NASA has approved the device for use in space, marking a shift in how crew members record their experiences during deep-space missions.
The image, released by NASA, shows Wiseman’s reflection in the spacecraft’s window, with Earth visible in the background. The photo was captured using a standard commercial smartphone, demonstrating the increasing integration of consumer technology in space exploration. NASA has verified the device’s suitability for the harsh conditions of spaceflight, including radiation exposure and microgravity.
Artemis II is the first crewed mission under NASA’s Artemis program, aiming to test the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System rocket. The four-person crew is scheduled to perform a lunar flyby before returning to Earth. The mission follows the uncrewed Artemis I test flight in 2022 and precedes plans for a crewed lunar landing under Artemis III.
NASA’s decision to allow the use of the iPhone 17 Pro Max reflects a broader trend of incorporating off-the-shelf technology into space missions. Previous crews relied on specialized cameras and equipment, but the agency now permits the use of approved commercial devices. This change aims to simplify training and reduce the need for custom hardware.
The crew’s photos, including the Earth-view image, are expected to provide both scientific and public engagement value. NASA has stated that the images will be shared with the public as part of the agency’s outreach efforts. The mission remains on track for its planned launch window later this year.
Source: itavisen.no