Under this updated rule, astronauts will be permitted to bring modern iPhones and Android phones on space missions. Until now, NASA had only allowed crew members to use officially issued cameras, most of which were professional but outdated.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the decision opens a new window into life beyond Earth. He explained that astronauts will now be able to record real moments as they happen, not just staged shots, and share them more easily with the public.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Isaacman wrote that NASA is giving astronauts tools to capture personal memories for their families, while also allowing the world to see space through a more human lens.

According to NASA, this move will also support future scientific work in Earth’s orbit and on the Moon’s surface. Smartphones offer quick access to advanced features such as high quality video, instant sharing, and built-in sensors tools that older equipment often lacks.

Isaacman called the decision an important step forward, saying NASA is challenging long-standing habits and welcoming modern hardware into spaceflight.

Currently, astronauts can only take DSLR cameras and GoPros on missions. While these devices produce strong results, they do not allow real time sharing and miss many of the smart features people now use daily.

With this change, space exploration becomes not only more advanced, but also more personal, connected, and relatable.