Shot on iPhone? NASA Greenlights Smartphones for the Moon
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Earlier this week, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman publicly announced a longstanding policy shift at NASA that could allow astronauts to bring their iPhones on the next NASA mission.
Artemis II is targeting a March 2026 launch. It will be the first crewed flight to venture beyond low Earth orbit in more than fifty years. The plan is to launch four astronauts on a figure-eight flyby around the Moon — what’s technically known as a Lunar Free-Return Trajectory.
Will these astronauts capture photos and videos from the mission and share them with the rest of us via their iPhones? Maybe. Despite NASA’s “operational urgency” of allowing smartphones on space missions for the benefit of both science and public engagement, any device that goes to space must undergo extensive testing. It wouldn’t be surprising if this type of testing takes years.
Has NASA really found a way to expedite the clearance for modern smartphones to accompany astronauts to space given their constantly changing batteries, specs, and other hardware? As of now, we don’t know if NASA has been testing any iPhone or other smartphone. Perhaps an older model iPhone has been in testing. Maybe Android or another manufacturer will take the spotlight.
Prior to this policy shift, the most modern camera planned for Artemis II was a DSLR from 2016. There’s no question that a camera like that on the iPhone 17 Pro would provide astronauts the ability to more efficiently capture better photos and videos of the mission.
The rigorous testing equipment typically must undergo includes simulating launch and space environments to make sure the device can survive. They further involve vacuum, thermal, acoustic and vibration, and radiation testing, and electromagnetic compatibility checks. These tests may very well be the most rigorous any smartphone has been put through before.
Imagine the publicity of an iPhone sending back images and videos of the Moon, the astronauts inside the shuttle, or even recording a launch? Let’s keep our fingers crossed at least one Apple model gets the nod and goes to the Moon and returns safely along with the crew!
Of course, don’t expect a live Instagram Story from the far side of the Moon just yet. While NASA is testing high-speed laser links for this mission, Nokia and NASA’s lunar 4G/5G “network-in-a-box” isn’t slated to be tested until next year’s Artemis III landing. For now, these space-selfies will have to take the long way home via NASA’s Deep Space Network.
Still, I can see the Apple commercial now! Let’s keep our fingers crossed at least one Apple model gets the nod and goes to the Moon and returns safely along with the crew!
