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NASA astronauts can now bring their phones with them on their mission to themoon
NASA astronauts can now bring smartphones to space for the Crew-12 and Artemis II missions, enabling them to capture and share experiences more spontaneously. This marks a significant update in the agency's technology policy, aiming to enhance documentation of space missions and inspire the public. The change comes after years of using older technology, and NASA hopes it will aid in modernizing their approach to science and research.
Key points
- NASA allows astronauts to bring smartphones on missions, starting with Crew-12 and Artemis II.
- Crew-12 launches next week to the ISS, while Artemis II, which will orbit the Moon, is delayed until March.
- Smartphones will provide astronauts with better opportunities to document their experiences and share them with the public.
- NASA administrator Jared Isaacman emphasizes the operational urgency to modernize hardware for spaceflight.
- Prior to this, astronauts used older camera technology like Nikon DSLRs and GoPros.
- SpaceX has previously allowed smartphones on its private astronaut missions.
Why it matters
- This decision aligns with 2025 IT trends towards greater integration of consumer technology in advanced settings.
- The trend of documenting experiences via social media reflects the increasing role of digital storytelling in all sectors.
- Face-to-face communication in space could mirror broader remote communication trends observed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Allowing smartphones in space signifies a modernization of NASA's mission approach, reflecting broader trends of integrating contemporary technology into historical settings, while fostering public engagement with space exploration.