NASA Permits Astronauts to Bring Smartphones on Upcoming Space Missions
In a groundbreaking move, NASA has announced that astronauts will now have the opportunity to bring smartphones on their missions to the International Space Station (ISS) and beyond. This significant change was revealed by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman in a recent post on X, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to enabling astronauts to capture and share their experiences in real-time. “We are giving our crews the tools to capture special moments for their families and share inspiring images and video with the world,” Isaacman stated.
This policy shift not only allows crew members of the Crew-12 and Artemis II missions to document their journeys but also marks a milestone in space exploration. While smartphones have previously been prohibited, images from space have been captured using other devices, including miniature satellites that launched in 2013. The Artemis II mission is poised to produce the first smartphone images taken from lunar orbit since the Apollo program ended with Apollo 17 in 1972.
The introduction of personal smartphones will replace the bulkier Nikon DSLR cameras that astronauts have traditionally used for high-quality photography. This transition is expected to facilitate more spontaneous and engaging photography, allowing for a richer sharing of experiences with friends, family, and the general public back on Earth.
Key Points:
– NASA astronauts can now bring smartphones on missions.
– This policy applies to Crew-12 and Artemis II missions.
– The move aims to enhance personal documentation and sharing of space experiences.
– The Artemis II mission will capture the first smartphone images from lunar orbit since the Apollo era.
– Smartphones replace heavier DSLR cameras, promoting ease of use.
