In a surprising turn of events for the upcoming milestone in space exploration, NASA astronauts will fly the latest smartphones for the Crew-12 mission to the ISS and the Artemis II moon flight.
The announcement was shared by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman on
How does NASA enable the use of personal smartphones during ISS missions?
Carrying personal smartphones on missions to the International Space Station (ISS) is a rare approach. Strict safety protocols are in place to prevent electromagnetic interference with critical spacecraft systems, a strategy developed based on lessons learned in aviation and early spaceflight, where electromagnetic disturbances posed interference risks.
Soyuz or Space Shuttle missions were very limited and recreational phone use was non-existent. Recent shifts reflect NASA’s pursuit of efficiency and cost reduction. For the Crew 12 mission to the ISS and the Artemis II moon flight, NASA streamlined the certification of modern smartphones. This allows astronauts to take high-resolution photos and videos, which ultimately improves crew morale. This provides a unique opportunity to see how crews document their unique experiences in orbit.
