NASA allowed astronauts on the Artemis II to use smartphones, including iPhone 17 Pro Max, mainly for capturing photos and videos during the mission.

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• Artemis II marks one of the first missions where astronauts carried modern smartphones onboard.
• Each astronaut was given an iPhone during pre-mission quarantine starting in March.
• Phones are used only for taking photos and videos, not for internet or communication.
• Internet, Bluetooth and other connectivity features are disabled for safety reasons.
• Astronauts used iPhones to capture views of space, rocket stages and onboard activities.
• Devices also help document movements like spacecraft positioning and docking demonstrations.
• Mission crew includes Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen.
• Orion capsule also carries professional cameras like Nikon D5 and GoPro Hero 11.
• All hardware must pass strict safety checks before being approved for space missions.
• Challenges include microgravity conditions where objects float and materials can be hazardous.
• Velcro and secure storage methods are used to prevent devices from floating freely.
• Apple was not involved in NASA’s approval process for using iPhones in the mission.
• This is the first time an iPhone has been fully approved for extended use in orbit.
• Earlier missions like Inspiration4 and Space Shuttle STS-135 also used smartphones experimentally.