NASA Astronauts Can Now Take iPhones to the Moon

For the first time ever, NASA astronauts will carry commercially available smartphones into deep space, letting them capture and share moments from humanity's return to the moon.

Crews on the Artemis lunar mission launching next month will fly with the latest iPhones, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced this week. Astronauts on an International Space Station mission this February will test the phones first.

"We are giving our crews the tools to capture special moments for their families and share inspiring images and video with the world," said Isaacman, who previously ran a mobile payments company. Before this decision, no consumer phones had ever been certified for NASA spacecraft.

The change represents a dramatic departure from NASA's traditional approach. Space missions typically require years of testing for specialized equipment. Now, the same phone you use to text your friends will document humans circling the moon.

Isaacman brought a smartphone on his own commercial spaceflight in 2024, proving the concept works. "We challenged long-standing processes and qualified modern hardware for space flight on an expedited timeline," he said.

Why This Inspires

This shift goes beyond cool lunar selfies. It shows how reducing bureaucracy and embracing proven consumer technology can speed up space exploration without sacrificing safety.

Commercial space flights have safely used smartphones for about a decade, according to NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens. The agency said other devices beyond iPhones may get certified in the future, opening space to more everyday tech.

The move fits Isaacman's broader mission to cut red tape at NASA and partner with private companies like SpaceX. Instead of reinventing the wheel for every piece of equipment, the agency is learning to trust what already works on Earth.

Future astronauts will share their journey in real time using the same devices we all carry. That connection makes space feel less distant and more human.