NASA to Allow Apple iPhone on Upcoming Lunar Flyby Missions

NASA will permit the use of the latest-generation Apple iPhones during the upcoming lunar flybys in March and April 2026, marking the first time commercial smartphones are authorized aboard crewed spaceflight. The change relaxes long-standing restrictions and aims to modernize operations, with mission teams capturing imagery and video of the flybys for public sharing. Authorization follows a directive to expedite hardware certification and leverage commercial partners like SpaceX to streamline processes. The move reflects Administrator Jared Isaacman’s focus on reducing bureaucracy and accelerating NASA’s programs.