NASA Astronauts Capture Stunning Earth Images with iPhone 17 Pro Max
Four astronauts on the Artemis II mission to the moon have managed to take some remarkable photographs of Earth. The twist? They used an iPhone 17 Pro Max instead of the high-tech equipment typically associated with NASA missions.
NASA confirmed via its official Flickr page that some of the photos released from the Artemis II mission were taken with this particular Apple smartphone. Three images, showcasing Earth from the Orion spacecraft, highlight the capabilities of everyday devices in extraordinary situations.
Each astronaut aboard the mission was equipped with a silver iPhone 17 Pro Max stashed in their suits. In addition to this, they also had GoPro Hero 11 and Nikon D5 cameras available. While many images shared widely during the mission came from the Nikon D5, this recent batch distinctly showed the use of an iPhone.
Interestingly, Apple wasn’t officially involved in getting the iPhones onto the spacecraft. NASA chose these smartphones as part of their equipment to help astronauts document significant moments.
Updates on the mission can be found on NASA’s official website, enabling the public to track the journey. Photos and documents from missions are routinely released as astronauts proceed with their activities onboard.
Despite the success with the iPhone, the crew faced challenges with other technologies. Reports indicate they encountered a pesky Microsoft Outlook glitch familiar to many office workers.
Mission Commander Reed Wiseman relayed issues with Outlook to Mission Control about seven hours post-liftoff. He noted, “I have two versions of Microsoft Outlook, and neither is functioning.” He requested assistance, saying, “If you could remotely check Optimus and both Outlooks, that would be helpful.”
In response, controllers devised a plan to access the shuttle’s personal computing device remotely to fix the issue. These specialized tablets are crucial for maintaining day-to-day communication with Earth and reviewing mission materials.
The crew also faced multiple complications with the spacecraft’s toilet system.
“Dumping waste is an issue,” said Judd Freeling, the Artemis II flight commander, during an update to reporters. He speculated, “It seems there might be frozen urine in the vent line.”
In just a couple of days, the mission will see the astronauts—three Americans and a Canadian—arrive at their lunar destination and capture images of the moon’s intriguing far side before heading back to Earth.
As the Artemis II mission picks up where the Apollo missions left off, it marks the first crewed journey to the moon in over 53 years. However, it seems the toilet system still has a mind of its own, with potential clogs leading to some unpleasant odors.
