Artemis II: iPhones and the Ultimate Digital Disconnect in Space

NASA has updated its policy to allow government astronauts to carry personal smartphones on space missions, a change that has seen the crew of the Artemis II mission traveling toward the moon equipped with the latest mobile hardware.

The Artemis II crew consists of four astronauts who are using the devices to capture photos and videos of their journey. This mission marks the first time NASA has provided each crew member with an iPhone for the purpose of documenting the flight.

Hardware Specifications and Flight Clearance

The specific model cleared for the mission is the iPhone 17 Pro Max. According to Apple, this mission represents the first time an iPhone has fully qualified for extended use in orbit and beyond.

Securing flight clearance for the devices involved a rigorous four-phase safety process managed by NASA. According to Tobias Niederwieser, an assistant research professor at BioServe Space Technologies, the process consists of the following stages:

• Introducing the hardware to a safety panel.
• Identifying potential hazards, such as moving parts or materials like glass that could shatter.
• Developing a plan to address those identified hazards.
• Proving that the mitigation plan is effective.

A primary concern for NASA was the shatterability of the device to protect both the crew and the spacecraft. The iPhone 17 Pro Max utilizes Ceramic Shield 2 on the front and Ceramic Shield on the back, with Apple claiming Ceramic Shield 2 is tougher than any smartphone glass.

Operational Constraints in Deep Space

While the astronauts have access to high-end hardware, the functionality of the devices is severely limited by the environment and security protocols. NASA has confirmed that the iPhones cannot connect to the internet and cannot use Bluetooth.

the devices are being used exclusively for capturing media. This limitation prevents astronauts from accessing external data or using the devices for communication, effectively turning the smartphones into high-quality cameras and recording devices.

Policy Shift and Previous Implementations

The inclusion of smartphones on Artemis II is the result of a policy change intended to make it easier for astronauts to document their experiences and share them with the public. NASA administrator Jared Isaacman had previously confirmed that the crew would be permitted to fly with the latest smartphones.

The Artemis II crew is the second group of NASA astronauts to benefit from this policy change. The first instance occurred during the Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station, where astronauts were also permitted to bring iPhones and Android handsets.

Visual evidence of the devices in use has already emerged. Video clips shared on X show the crew interacting with the hardware in zero gravity, including footage of astronaut Christina Koch filming Victor Glover as he pilots the spacecraft, and clips of an iPhone being tossed between crew members in a weightless environment.

Mission Context

The Artemis II mission is sending four astronauts on a trip around the moon, traveling further from Earth than any humans have been in over 50 years. The crew includes the first woman, the first Black man, and the first Canadian to venture within the vicinity of the moon.

As of April 4, 2026, the four iPhone 17 Pro Max devices are traveling toward the moon at a speed of approximately 25,000 mph.