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Artemis II Astronauts Share iPhone 17 Pro Max Photos of Earth From Deep Space

The images highlight NASA’s push to qualify consumer phones for safe use on crewed missions.

Overview

  • NASA released new Artemis II photos from the Orion capsule that were shot on iPhone 17 Pro Max handsets, with Earth visible through the cabin windows.
  • EXIF data reviewed by Gizmodo shows the shots used the phone’s 18‑megapixel front camera at default settings and saw only light edits in Adobe Lightroom Classic.
  • Each astronaut carried an iPhone 17 Pro Max alongside two Nikon D5 DSLRs and four GoPro Hero 11 action cameras, and some exterior views came from a GoPro Hero 4 Black mounted outside Orion.
  • NASA approved smartphones through a four‑phase safety review that identifies hazards and proves mitigations for zero‑gravity, and Apple was not involved in the agency’s qualification.
  • The crew is set to reach its closest approach to the Moon on Monday as part of a flyby and return arc, and NASA says the phones help the astronauts capture personal moments to share with families and the public.