NASA shares breathtaking photos of Earth from space, confirms they were shot on iPhone 17 Pro Max

NASA shares a breathtaking Earth image captured on an iPhone 17 Pro Max aboard the Orion spacecraft during the Artemis II mission.

In Short

• NASA shares Earth image captured on iPhone 17 Pro Max
• Photo taken from Orion spacecraft during Artemis II journey
• iPhones approved after strict NASA hardware testing process

NASA has recently shared an image that could serve as one the greatest advertisements for iPhone ever. As the Artemis II crew is currently on its way to a flyby around the Moon, astronauts are sharing breathtaking views of Earth. NASA’s Instagram handle shared a photo of Earth as seen from one of the windows of the Orion spacecraft on its way to the Moon. When users asked how the mesmerising photo was captured, NASA replied that it was shot using an iPhone 17 Pro Max.

The fact that the images were shot on an iPhone did not surprise many space enthusiasts, as viewers had already spotted a silver iPhone floating near a camera overlooking the cockpit of the Artemis II spacecraft about four hours into the flight. It was expected that images shot on the iPhone would soon appear on the internet. However, what surprised many was that NASA allowed iPhones on the space mission in the first place.

While many people say this is another level of marketing for the iPhone, Apple has denied involvement in NASA’s approval process. Still, this is a major achievement for Apple because NASA has strict rules about what equipment can be taken into space. It involves a lengthy testing process that includes hardware checks, identifying potential hazards, and preparing contingency plans in case anything goes wrong with the device.

Because of this process, astronauts have long depended on Nikon D5 cameras introduced in 2016 and GoPro Hero 11 cameras introduced in 2022. While smartphones have gone to space on private missions before, this is the first time NASA has allowed iPhones for astronauts traveling on a space mission.

Why astronauts are using iPhones during the mission

Given the lengthy approval process, the risks of allowing new devices, and the lack of internet connectivity in space, many people have wondered why NASA approved iPhones for the mission. Here is the answer. iPhones are not meant for astronauts to connect with their families or play games while in space. Instead, these devices are being used to document the experience and capture important moments during the mission.

On board the Orion capsule, astronauts have used their phones to take photos and videos through the spacecraft’s windows, including views of the upper stage of the rocket that carried them into space. Astronauts are not allowed to connect to the internet or use Bluetooth.

NASA explains the decision

“We are giving our crews the tools to capture special moments for their families and share inspiring images and video with the world,” NASA administrator Jared Isaacman said in a social media post in February.
“Just as important, we challenged longstanding processes and qualified modern hardware for spaceflight on an expedited timeline.”

What makes the iPhone 17 Pro Max camera special

The iPhone 17 Pro Max is known for its camera quality. The camera system features 48MP sensors across all three rear lenses , Main, Ultra Wide, and Telephoto, with a default 24MP photo resolution.
This setup allows users to capture high-resolution 24MP images, 4x and 8x optical-quality zoom, and enhanced 48MP macro photography.

The device also includes an 18MP front camera for selfies, while a 200mm telephoto lens (8x) and a 48MP 100mm lens (4x) provide detailed zoom capabilities.

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