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Artemis II Astronauts Use iPhones, Surface Tablets
4 Apr
Summary
- Astronauts use modified iPhones and Microsoft Surface tablets for Artemis II mission.
- The $2,000 iPhones were integrated into the Orion crew survival system suits.
- Surface tablets are used for various tasks, from personal calls to storing imagery.
The Artemis II mission crew is employing modern consumer electronics, including modified iPhones and Microsoft Surface tablets, during their lunar journey. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman highlighted the integration of iPhones, costing approximately $2,000, as a way to expedite the qualification of contemporary hardware for spaceflight, challenging established protocols.
These iPhones, though reportedly lacking internet and Bluetooth connectivity, represent a milestone in space-bound personal devices. Astronauts are also using Microsoft Surface tablets for various functions, such as private family and medical conferences, office applications, and storing DSLR imagery. This adoption of familiar technology aims to streamline operations and potentially reduce the clutter associated with older mission documentation methods.
This integration of consumer tech, like iPhones and Surface tablets, offers a less cluttered aesthetic compared to past space missions, which often involved extensive paper documentation. While the practicality of using these devices for routine tasks is evident, the sight of astronauts engaging with screens evokes a sense of the mundane, contrasting with the extraordinary nature of space travel.
