NASA astronauts will soon be allowed to take smartphones on missions, opening a new era of personal space photography and public engagement.
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| NASA’s new policy allows astronauts to use modern smartphones, making space photography more personal and relatable for the public. Image: CH |
Science Desk — February 10, 2026:
NASA is breaking new ground in space exploration—not by building a new spacecraft, but by putting smartphones in the hands of astronauts. For the upcoming Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and the Artemis-2 mission orbiting the Moon, astronauts will be allowed to carry their own modern smartphones, a move that could revolutionize how space is documented and shared with the public.
Traditionally, every electronic device sent into space undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it can withstand radiation, temperature extremes, and other hazards more than 250 miles above Earth. Until now, the cameras onboard missions were decades old, including a 2016 Nikon DSLR and a nearly 10-year-old GoPro for Artemis. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced on February 5 that astronauts will now enjoy unprecedented freedom to capture images and videos with their own devices.
The implications are significant. Space photography will become more personal, showing everyday life aboard the ISS or orbiting the Moon from a human perspective. Crew-12 will operate with just four astronauts on the currently understaffed ISS, and sharing images via smartphones could make the station feel more relatable to the public. Artemis-2, set to be the first manned lunar mission in 50 years, will carry four astronauts on a 10-day lunar orbit, providing an unprecedented opportunity for personal and immersive imagery from space.
While NASA has occasionally allowed Apple products in orbit—iPhone 4s flew aboard the shuttle in 2011, and devices like iPads, AirPods, and Apple Watches have appeared on past missions—astronauts have rarely had access to contemporary smartphones. Even the first email sent from space relied on a 1991 Macintosh portable computer. By embracing modern devices, NASA is not only relaxing technical restrictions but also opening a new chapter in humanizing space exploration.
The shift highlights a broader trend in NASA’s outreach strategy: connecting people on Earth with the realities of space travel. Personal photography and videos could inspire public interest, provide educational content, and deepen engagement with missions like Artemis-2, which aims to reignite lunar exploration after half a century.
By allowing smartphones in orbit, NASA is transforming space from a distant, highly controlled environment into a platform for human storytelling, creativity, and connection—making the universe a little closer, one selfie at a time.