Videos featuring the Artemis II crew display astronauts having fun with an iPhone in space.

      Artemis II is historic, but the floating iPhone is stealing the vibe

      NASA’s Artemis II mission marks a significant milestone in space exploration, being one of the most notable spaceflight achievements in recent decades. While nostalgic clips of past astronauts embarking on missions evoke a sense of nostalgia, the initial videos from the capsule present a more relatable atmosphere. The crew is seen tossing iPhones in zero gravity within the Orion spacecraft, which adds an unexpectedly modern touch to the historic expedition.

      This juxtaposition is what makes the footage so unique. Artemis II represents the first crewed lunar mission in over half a century, and the inclusion of a device that millions are accustomed to using introduces a level of familiarity.

      The iPhone is not the main focus of the mission, but it defines the moment.

      The iPhones are already in action! Christina casually films as Victor manually maneuvers Orion during the proximity operations demonstration, resembling someone recording a friend testing a new car. The clips are not grand NASA revelations; they are brief snapshots of astronauts adapting to life in microgravity and playfully engaging with floating objects. However, witnessing an iPhone drifting through the cabin makes the entire experience feel much more tangible.

      An iPhone gliding across the cockpit cuts through the mission patches and NASA's extensive control panels, adding an element of charm to the whole experience.

      A historic flight with a modern detail

      Artemis II launched on April 1 with a four-member crew aboard the Orion spacecraft for a roughly ten-day mission around the moon and back. The crew consists of Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, marking NASA’s first crewed journey beyond low Earth orbit since the Apollo missions.

      History is being made once more, and a small part of it includes the iPhone, which will be used to capture close-up images of the moon.

      Observing astronauts interacting with an iPhone during a lunar mission feels unexpectedly grounding. This doesn’t diminish the importance of Artemis II; it simply enhances the sense of authenticity surrounding the mission.