NASA astronauts can now snap selfies on the Moon with their own phones, shattering decades of strict gear rules.
- NASA astronauts can now snap selfies on the Moon with their own phones, shattering decades of strict gear rules.
- This policy shift marks the first time crews will be allowed to carry iPhones and Android devices into deep space.
- Crew-12 first to use phones in space NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman revealed the decision via X, stating, “We are equipping our...
- Artemis II, delayed from earlier schedules, will send astronauts on a lunar flyby, orbiting the Moon without attempting a landing.
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This policy shift marks the first time crews will be allowed to carry iPhones and Android devices into deep space. NASA announced the change on Tuesday, ahead of upcoming missions.
Crew-12 first to use phones in space
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman revealed the decision via X, stating, “We are equipping our crews with the means to document memorable experiences for their families and share inspiring photos and videos with everyone.”
Astronauts aboard Crew-12, set to launch to the International Space Station next week, will be the first to test the devices in orbit.
Artemis II will follow in March 2026, sending four astronauts on a lunar flyby, the first human mission to circle the Moon since the 1960s.
The smartphones will replace ageing 2016-era Nikon DSLRs and older GoPro cameras, which are cleared for use only after rigorous safety testing.
NASA prepares Crew-12 for Artemis II lunar flyby
Crew-12 will lift off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.
Artemis II, delayed from earlier schedules, will send astronauts on a lunar flyby, orbiting the Moon without attempting a landing.
The mission gives NASA crews powerful, spontaneous tools to capture high-quality images and video in microgravity.
Isaacman added, “Equally important, we challenged established protocols and validated contemporary technology for space travel within a rapid timeframe.”
This setup promises real-time shares from lunar distances.
NASA certifies phones for Orbit
Before deployment, the phones must meet NASA’s strict certification standards for radiation exposure, vacuum conditions, and extreme vibration.
The latest iPhone and Android models deliver far superior camera capabilities compared to the agency’s previous hardware.
Astronauts will use them to document scientific work, share moments with their families, and capture history for audiences around the world during these landmark missions.
While SpaceX previously permitted smartphones on private missions, NASA is now extending the policy to its government-operated flights.
The shift puts powerful, everyday technology in astronauts’ hands, enabling extraordinary captures from beyond Earth.