Smartphones Fly With Artemis II Astronauts

NASA's Artemis II mission is set to achieve several historic firsts, including carrying the first woman, the first Black man, and the first Canadian to journey near the moon. Furthermore, the four-person crew is traveling farther from Earth than any humans before.

Adding to these distinctions, the Artemis II astronauts are among the first government astronauts to bring their personal smartphones, including iPhones and Android devices, into space. This capability is a result of a new NASA policy that went into effect before the SpaceX Crew-12 mission, which was the first to carry certified personal smartphones.

The updated guidelines aim to enable astronauts to more easily document their celestial surroundings and capture significant moments. These devices, including those on the Artemis II flight, underwent a certification process to ensure safety during space travel. Previously, astronauts relied on equipment like DSLR cameras and tablets for photography.

The Artemis II mission launched on April 1, 2026, from Florida, with the crew expected to reach the moon for a historic flyby on April 6, 2026. This mission marks humanity's first return to lunar proximity since 1972 and serves as a crucial test flight for future lunar surface missions.