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Astronauts' Smartphones Go Galactic!
9 Feb
Summary
- Astronauts can now bring smartphones into space on upcoming missions.
- iPhone models have received NASA's approval for space travel.
- New missions to the ISS and Moon will feature astronaut smartphones.
NASA astronauts are now authorized to bring personal smartphones on space missions, beginning with the SpaceX Crew-12 and Artemis II flights. NASA administrator Jared Isaacman stated this allows crews to capture special moments for their families and share inspiring visuals globally.
Apple's iPhone is confirmed to be among the smartphone models approved by NASA for space. While specific iPhone models were not detailed, this policy shift moves away from relying solely on traditional cameras for space photography.
The SpaceX Crew-12 mission is slated to transport astronauts to the International Space Station after February 11, 2026. Following closely, the Artemis II mission aims to send astronauts on a journey to orbit the Moon aboard the Orion spacecraft, with a launch no earlier than March 6, 2026.
