For decades, astronauts have travelled millions of kilometres into space without one very normal thing most of us refuse to leave home without, a smartphone. That is about to change. NASA has confirmed that astronauts heading to the Moon will soon be allowed to carry modern smartphones, including iPhones, marking a surprisingly human shift in how space missions are run. The decision will take effect starting with Crew-12 and Artemis II, NASA’s upcoming mission that will send astronauts around the Moon for the first time since 1972. What exactly has NASA announced? NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman shared the update on X, confirming that astronauts will be allowed to fly with modern smartphones on future missions. In simple terms, astronauts will now be able to use familiar devices like iPhones to take photos, record videos, and document their experience more naturally. Why were astronauts not allowed to carry smartphones before Until now, personal smartphones were essentially banned from deep-space missions. While astronauts on the International Space Station can email, message, and even video call Earth, all of that happens using NASA-approved laptops, tablets, and specialised systems.
Smartphones like iPhones were not allowed for several reasons: In short, astronauts could communicate, but not casually. There was no pulling out a phone to snap a quick photo for family or capture an unexpected moment through a window. What changed now? NASA says it has now tested and approved modern smartphones for spaceflight. According to Isaacman, the approval process was sped up by rethinking old rules and focusing on what truly matters for safety and mission success. NASA’s traditional hardware approval process is famously slow and complex. Devices are usually put through years of radiation tests, vibration testing, thermal cycling, and vacuum checks. While these rules exist for good reason, Isaacman believes some of them have become outdated. This move is part of a broader effort to cut what he calls “requirement bloat,” rules that slow missions down without adding meaningful safety. Why this matters beyond convenience Until recently, the most advanced camera approved for the Artemis II mission was a 2016 Nikon DSLR, along with decade-old GoPro cameras. By comparison, modern smartphones now offer better video, smarter image processing, and far more flexibility. With smartphones onboard, astronauts can: NASA hopes this will help people on Earth connect more emotionally with its missions. A cultural shift inside NASA Allowing smartphones also signals a mindset change within the space agency. NASA is showing that it is willing to move faster, adopt modern tools, and challenge long-standing processes as it prepares for long-term missions to the Moon and eventually Mars. Isaacman has described the decision as a “small step,” but one that reflects urgency and flexibility, something critics have long said NASA needs more of. Haven’t smartphones been to space before?
Yes, but with limits. A pair of iPhone 4s reportedly flew on the final space shuttle mission in 2011, though it’s unclear if they were ever used. Astronauts on private missions, including Polaris and Axiom flights, have also carried smartphones. What makes this different is that NASA is officially approving consumer smartphones for its flagship lunar missions, not just low-Earth orbit or private flights. Why Artemis II is historic Scheduled for March 2026, Artemis II will be the first crewed mission to travel beyond low-Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. That makes these smartphones the first consumer devices cleared for a modern lunar mission. The photos and videos captured could offer views of the Moon and Earth that were impossible during the Apollo era. A small device, a big message These phones are not meant for scrolling social media or casual use. But their presence matters. For astronauts travelling far from Earth, having a familiar tool can provide comfort, connection, and a sense of normalcy.
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