Overview
- NASA approved four iPhone 17 Pro Max units for Artemis II, and the crew has used them to capture photos from space, including views of Earth.
- The phones are limited to recording photos and video, with internet and Bluetooth switched off to avoid interference and reduce risk, according to reporting that cites NASA.
- Apple says it did not take part in NASA’s approval process and describes this mission as the first full qualification of an iPhone for extended orbital use.
- Tobias Niederwieser of BioServe Space Technologies outlined a four-step vetting path that introduced the hardware to a safety panel, listed hazards, set mitigations, and verified the fixes.
- Reviewers flagged microgravity risks such as shattered glass that could float inside the cabin, and the smartphones complement dedicated GoPro and Nikon cameras already aboard Orion.