Astronauts will soon fly with the latest smartphones as NASA relaxes policy

NASA announced that astronauts may carry current-model smartphones beginning with Crew-12 and Artemis II, saying modern hardware was qualified on an expedited timeline. Artemis II remains tentatively scheduled after a wet dress rehearsal uncovered a liquid hydrogen leak that paused countdown procedures.

NASA has relaxed a long-standing restriction and now allows astronauts to carry current-model smartphones on upcoming missions. The change was announced by Jared Isaacman on X/Twitter and is set to begin with Crew-12 and Artemis II. Officials said teams qualified modern hardware on an expedited timeline to support crew needs and operational work. The announcement came as Artemis II remains delayed following issues found during a Wet Dress Rehearsal. Key details: - The policy change was announced on X/Twitter by Jared Isaacman and applies starting with Crew-12 and Artemis II. - NASA said the move will let crews capture personal photos and videos for families and share images with the public, and that modern devices were qualified more quickly than usual. - The agency reported testing during the Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal revealed a liquid hydrogen leak at a core stage interface, which required pauses and adjustments during tanking. - Teams reported filling the core stage and interim cryogenic propulsion stage tanks and conducting a terminal countdown to about T‑5 minutes before the ground launch sequencer halted operations due to an increased leak rate. - Additional factors noted during testing included extended Orion closeout work, intermittent ground audio dropouts, and cold-weather impacts to some cameras. - Jared Isaacman emphasized that safety remains the top priority and that launch will proceed only when the mission is ready. Summary: Allowing smartphones aims to give crew members a more personal way to record moments and to use modern hardware aboard missions, according to NASA's announcement. Artemis II's timing is still tentative after the wet dress rehearsal identified a hydrogen leak and related issues. Undetermined at this time.