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iPhone 17 Pro Max NASA Approves iPhone 17 Pro Max for Use on Artemis 2 Deep Space Mission

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NASA’s Artemis 2 mission is shaping up to be a milestone in space exploration. It marks the first crewed spacecraft sent into deep space in 50 years and the first lunar mission of the 21st century. In a surprising twist, NASA has also approved the use of iPhone 17 Pro Max devices on board the Orion spacecraft. Each astronaut is equipped with the smartphone to capture photos and videos, both for personal memories and to share glimpses of the mission with the world.

Astronauts aboard Orion have already begun sharing images of Earth and the lunar surface via NASA’s mission page. These stunning visuals were captured using the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which was launched in September 2025. The move is notable because it represents the first time NASA has allowed a smartphone to be used on a deep space mission, a role previously reserved for specialized cameras and GoPros. The inclusion of a consumer-grade device highlights both the iPhone’s advanced imaging capabilities and its reliability under extreme conditions.

According to The New York Times, NASA follows a rigorous clearance process for any new hardware intended for spaceflight. Tobias Niederwieser, an assistant research professor at BioServe Space Technologies, explained that the agency evaluates each device for safety, durability, and potential hazards before granting approval. The iPhone 17 Pro Max underwent extensive testing to ensure it could withstand radiation, microgravity, and other environmental factors associated with deep space travel.

The decision to approve the iPhone 17 Pro Max underscores the growing role of consumer technology in space missions. By allowing astronauts to use a familiar device, NASA not only simplifies the process of capturing and sharing images but also demonstrates confidence in modern smartphones’ engineering. As Artemis 2 approaches its lunar flyby, these photos and videos provide a unique perspective of space exploration, bridging the gap between advanced technology and everyday tools.

As SLS Faces Uncertainty, NASA Proceeds with Artemis 2 Second Stage Assembly

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NASA Stacks Artemis 2 Upper Stage Amid Uncertainty Over SLS Program

NASA has reached a key milestone in the preparation for its Artemis 2 mission with the successful stacking of the rocket’s second stage, the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS). The operation took place on May 1 inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The ICPS will play a crucial role in sending NASA’s Orion spacecraft and its four-person crew—three Americans and one Canadian—beyond Earth’s orbit on a free-return trajectory around the Moon.

The ICPS arrived at the VAB in April and was carefully lifted into position atop the massive Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. According to NASA, the upper stage was fitted into the rocket stage adapter, a process supported by detailed imaging released during the stacking operation. Meanwhile, the Orion crew module and service module, built by Lockheed Martin, also arrived at the center and are now undergoing final preparations before being integrated with the launch system.

While Artemis 2 marks a major step forward for NASA’s lunar ambitions, questions remain about the long-term future of the SLS and Orion programs. Artemis 1, an uncrewed mission launched in 2022, uncovered issues with Orion’s heat shield, leading to delays in subsequent missions. For Artemis 2, the crew will conduct a lunar flyby rather than an orbital mission, testing life-support systems and deep space operations ahead of future crewed landings.

NASA aims for Artemis 3 to land astronauts on the lunar surface in 2027 using SpaceX’s Starship as the lunar lander. The success of Artemis 2 is therefore critical—not only as a test of new technologies and mission operations but also as a vote of confidence in the SLS-Orion architecture amid growing pressure to streamline and modernize NASA’s exploration strategy.