As previously reported, astronauts aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft used the iPhone 17 Pro Max to capture selfies during the Artemis II mission, with the Earth visible in the background while orbiting the far side of the Moon last week.
The images were taken as part of a lighthearted moment during the mission, showcasing both the crew and the planet from deep space. Despite the extreme environment, the photos highlight the device’s ability to function reliably even in challenging conditions far beyond Earth’s surface.
The Artemis II mission itself is a major step in NASA’s broader plan to return humans to lunar exploration, and the use of a standard consumer smartphone like the iPhone 17 Pro Max adds an unexpected modern touch to the historic journey.
While professional-grade NASA imaging equipment remains the primary tool for scientific documentation, these informal shots demonstrate how everyday technology is increasingly intersecting with space exploration in surprising ways.
Now that the Artemis II crew has safely returned to Earth, Apple CEO Tim Cook and marketing chief Greg Joswiak have publicly acknowledged the mission and highlighted the role the iPhone played in capturing images from space.
In a post on social media, Cook praised the astronauts for documenting their journey, writing:
“You captured the wonders of space and our planet beautifully, taking iPhone photography to new heights, and we’re grateful you shared it with the world. Your work continues to inspire us all to think different. Welcome home!”
Joswiak also commented on the milestone with a lighter tone, saying:
“Honored that NASA astronauts brought iPhone to space with them. One small step for iPhone. One giant leap for space selfies.”
In February, NASA confirmed that the iPhone had been fully qualified for extended use in orbit, with each of the four crew members aboard the Orion spacecraft reportedly carrying an iPhone 17 Pro Max for personal photography and video capture during the mission.
Some of the released images show Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman and Mission Specialist Christina Koch looking back at Earth through one of Orion’s main cabin windows. According to metadata shared via Flickr, several of these shots were captured using the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s front-facing camera on April 2, the second day of the mission.
However, most of the official mission photography released so far was taken using professional equipment such as the Nikon D5, Nikon Z 9, and GoPro HERO4 Black, which continue to serve as NASA’s primary imaging tools for documentation.
Artemis II marked NASA’s first crewed mission to the Moon since 1972. The spacecraft traveled around the far side of the Moon, where it set a new record for the farthest distance humans have ever traveled from Earth. Although Orion did not land on the lunar surface, as it is designed for orbit and return missions only, the flyby represented a significant milestone in NASA’s Artemis program. The spacecraft successfully returned the crew to Earth on Friday, concluding the historic mission.