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NASA Now Allowing Astronauts to Bring Their iPhones on Space Missions

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman on Wednesday announced that NASA astronauts will soon be permitted to fly with "the latest smartphones," beginning with the SpaceX Crew-12 and Artemis II missions over the next few months.

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In an email, an Apple spokesperson said this will mark the first time the iPhone has been fully qualified for extended use in orbit and beyond.

NASA astronauts were previously not allowed to carry their own personal smartphones on space flights, but they did allow some approved DSLR cameras and other equipment. With smartphones, Isaacman said astronauts will be able to "capture special moments for their families and share inspiring images and video with the world."

It is unclear exactly which iPhone models have been qualified.

Tag: NASA

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Top Rated Comments

17 weeks ago
Time for the first ever Shot on iPhone, shot in space.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
17 weeks ago
Those roaming charges are going to be.....astronomical.....

I'll just show myself out.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
repoman016 Avatar
17 weeks ago
Forget airplane mode. We need to turn on space mode!!!!
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alexandr Avatar
17 weeks ago
But it has to be a Space Gray iPhone.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
17 weeks ago
iPhone 17 Pro Max, compatible with Space 1.05.

EDIT: iPhone Air, not supported.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vegetassj4 Avatar
17 weeks ago
One small step for man, one giant leap for selfiekind
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)