Videos of the Artemis II crew demonstrate astronauts having fun with an iPhone while in space.
Artemis II is a significant event in history, yet the floating iPhone is capturing attention.
NASA's Artemis II mission marks a major milestone in spaceflight after many years. While old footage of astronauts venturing into space evokes nostalgia, the initial videos from the Orion capsule bring a more contemporary vibe. The crew is seen tossing iPhones around in zero gravity, lending a peculiarly modern twist to this historic mission.
This juxtaposition is what makes the footage unique. Artemis II is the first crewed lunar mission in over half a century, and including a device commonly used by millions adds a relatable element.
The iPhone is not central to the mission, but it defines the moment.
The iPhones are already in action! Christina is casually filming as Victor manually pilots the Orion during a proximity operations demonstration, much like filming a friend taking a new car for a spin. The content is not a major NASA revelation; rather, they are brief glimpses of astronauts adapting to microgravity and playfully interacting with floating objects. An iPhone drifting through the cabin makes everything feel more tangible.
An iPhone gliding through the cockpit cuts through the official mission imagery and NASA’s extensive control panels, adding a certain charm to the experience.
Historical flight with a modern twist
Artemis II launched on April 1 with a four-member crew aboard the Orion spacecraft for a mission lasting roughly ten days around the moon and back. The crew comprises Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, marking NASA’s first crewed journey beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo.
This is history in progress, with the iPhone also set to capture images of the moon up close.
Observing astronauts playing with an iPhone during a lunar mission feels surprisingly grounding. It doesn’t diminish the significance of Artemis II; rather, it enhances the feeling that the mission is more 'real.'
Tech journalist and product reviewer focusing on consumer electronics, Sean has covered everything from flagship devices...
The iPhone 18 Pro may forgo a long-desired color.
Following the launch of the iPhone 17 series, Apple seems to be indulging in a vibrant color palette. A bright orange iPhone is unexpected in a time focused on subtle hues and minimalistic design; it feels daring and slightly rebellious. Every time I see it, I find myself questioning: who is this aimed at? However, I’ve noticed individuals confidently sporting that hue, which helps answer that query—perhaps that’s the intention.
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Before your iPhone fit your pocket, it resembled a cutting board.
Apple’s archive reveals the bulky prototypes that paved the way for its most notable products.
Prior to fitting neatly into pockets, the iPhone resembled something more likely to be found on a workbench. Apple’s 50th anniversary archive showcases how oversized and unrefined its key concepts once were, including an early prototype of the iPhone that scarcely resembled a phone.
That prototype was less a device and more a sprawling circuit board designed to test the integration of touch input and core components. Apple prioritized the functionality of the system first, trusting they could downsize everything later.
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Videos of the Artemis II crew demonstrate astronauts having fun with an iPhone while in space.
New Artemis II footage features astronauts casually using an iPhone in space, giving NASA’s first crewed lunar mission in more than 50 years a surprisingly relatable vibe.
