Apple may not have announced it, but an iPhone 17 Pro Max has officially made its way into space.
According to NASA, the flagship iPhone is currently part of the Artemis II mission and has already helped capture photos of Earth from space. Apple’s next Shot on iPhone campaign could come straight from space.
Images posted by NASA show the device being used aboard the spacecraft, and some of the photos sent back during the mission were taken using the iPhone.
Artemis II mission is testing hardware for future moon flights
The Artemis II mission is designed to send astronauts around the Moon before returning to Earth.
The mission is part of NASA’s broader Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon and eventually support future missions to Mars.
During the flight, astronauts will capture photos, collect data, and test hardware that may be used in future missions.
That includes consumer devices like the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Some space photos were taken with the iPhone’s front camera
Interestingly, some of the images returned from the mission were reportedly captured using the iPhone’s front-facing Center Stage camera as per Flickr.
Front cameras typically prioritize video calls and selfies, so capturing clear images of Earth from space is an unusual use case.
Despite that, the results appear surprisingly detailed. NASA also confirmed that the iPhones aboard the spacecraft are silver models.
astronauts are also using other cameras on the mission
The iPhone is not the only imaging equipment aboard the spacecraft.
Astronauts are also using:
- GoPro HERO11 action cameras
- Nikon D5 professional photography gear
These devices help capture high-quality photos and videos during the mission.
iPhones have been to space before
While it may sound unusual, this is not the first time an iPhone has traveled beyond Earth.
In 2021, astronaut Jared Isaacman captured a photo of Earth using an iPhone 12 during a previous spaceflight.
Using consumer smartphones in space helps astronauts test how everyday devices perform in extreme environments.
A surprising role for the iPhone in space missions
The appearance of the iPhone 17 Pro Max on the Artemis II highlights how capable modern smartphone cameras have become.
Even though dedicated cameras like the Nikon D5 remain the primary tools for space photography, smartphones are increasingly being used for documentation, testing, and quick imaging tasks.
For Apple fans, it is also a fun reminder that an iPhone is currently traveling around the Moon.
