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Smartphones Blast Off: NASA Astronauts Get Tech Upgrade
9 Feb
Summary
- Astronauts will soon use smartphones for personal use on NASA flights.
- This marks a shift from exclusively approved camera equipment.
- The Artemis II mission will carry astronauts into lunar orbit.
NASA is permitting astronauts to bring the latest smartphones on select flights, a notable departure from its long-standing policy of restricting personal electronic devices.
This new allowance includes the upcoming Artemis II mission, slated for launch next month. Previously, NASA had only approved limited equipment like DSLR cameras for space missions.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced the change, emphasizing the desire to equip crews with tools for capturing personal moments and sharing inspiring content globally. This rapid qualification of modern hardware for spaceflight demonstrates an agile approach to adopting new technologies.
While a first for NASA, commercial spaceflight providers have allowed smartphones for nearly a decade. The Artemis II mission, however, offers unique celestial backdrops as it sends astronauts into lunar orbit, setting the stage for future lunar surface missions like Artemis 3.
