April 1 heralded a flurry of headlines, one of the most noteworthy being NASA’s Artemis II mission, which intriguingly ferried a piece of consumer technology into the vastness of space.
A video circulating on X revealed an iPhone 17 Pro seemingly floating within the confines of the Orion spacecraft.
Designed as part of the Artemis II initiative, the Orion spacecraft is tasked with orbiting the Moon while accommodating astronauts on board. Among the sophisticated equipment housed within, smartphones were included—an innovation that has only recently received NASA’s endorsement.
This February, NASA granted approval for astronauts to carry smartphones into space, part of a broader initiative to validate the utility of commercial technology during prolonged missions in orbit. It was not long before Apple’s devices made their celestial debut.
Unveiling the iPhone 17 Pro
The revelation stems from space journalist Owen Sparks, who meticulously analyzed footage disseminated by NASA.
In one segment, a smartphone can be observed being stowed in an astronaut’s suit pocket prior to launch. Although the filming angle complicates the identification of the specific model, subsequent clips taken inside the Orion cabin provide clearer evidence.
A floating device, distinguished by Apple’s hallmark triple-camera design, is observed being exchanged between astronauts in a zero-gravity environment. Its aesthetics strongly suggest it is part of the iPhone 17 Pro series, likely in a striking silver hue.
One noteworthy feature captured in the footage is a black circular patch adhered to the phone.
As reported by Macworld, this is a Velcro attachment. In the absence of gravity, objects tend to drift, necessitating that astronauts find reliable methods to tether everyday items, such as smartphones, to their suits or the spacecraft’s interior.
This occurrence is not the inaugural flight of an iPhone beyond Earth. In 2011, two iPhone 4 units were launched aboard a space shuttle, yet those were strictly for experimental use, operating specialized applications designed to aid astronauts with in-flight tasks.
The Artemis II mission signifies a monumental leap forward, potentially marking the first occasion in which iPhones are utilized more liberally in space.
Per the official NASA website, Artemis II will showcase a comprehensive array of capabilities essential for deep-space endeavors. This test flight represents NASA’s inaugural mission featuring four crew members aboard the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and the Orion spacecraft, with a ten-day timeline commencing on April 1, 2026.
Source link: Khaleejtimes.com.
