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NASA Now Allowing Astronauts to Bring Their iPhones on Space Missions

i read somewhere once that the oscillators used in iPhones are mems-based and require atmospheric pressure to work. i guess they must be good to 10,000 feet at least as that's what the specs say. i assume these capsules are pressurized to the equivalent of an airplane or better so i assume they will still work. but apparently if you took the iphone on an EVA it would just stop working.

i wonder what the GPS receivers in the phones will do while in orbit? i guess becuase they are civilian models they'll just stop reporting as the iphones are headed to orbit.
 
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The famous Omega Speedmaster watch was approved for space thanks to its shatterproof non-glass crystal. You don’t want glass shards floating around in zero gravity.

Will the approved iPhones be sufficiently shatterproof, or did NASA relax its safety standards? Hmmm….
 
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MacRumors said:


NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman on Wednesday announced that NASA astronauts will soon be permitted to fly with "the latest smartphones," beginning with the SpaceX Crew-12 and Artemis II missions over the next few months.

Apple-Event-Far-Out-Banner.jpeg

In an email, an Apple spokesperson said this will mark the first time the iPhone has been fully qualified for extended use in orbit and beyond.

NASA astronauts were previously not allowed to carry their own personal smartphones on space flights, but they did allow some approved DSLR cameras and other equipment. With smartphones, Isaacman said astronauts will be able to "capture special moments for their families and share inspiring images and video with the world."

It is unclear exactly which iPhone models have been qualified.

Article Link: NASA Now Allowing Astronauts to Bring Their iPhones on Space Missions
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Fools! - The roaming fees alone will bankrupt NASA!

Oh, I guess I am the fifth guy to formulate that joke.. nevermind 🙂
 
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They also weigh less than a DSLR, which is maybe a consideration? It’s probably negligible from a launch weight calculation perspective, or not. Don’t have any expertise in this area.
 
B4U said:
Wait, you mean to tell me this wallpaper was not taken by iPhone in space? 🤣
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Affect is a verb meaning to influence or impact something, effect is a noun referring to the result or consequence of an action.
 
joeblough said:
i read somewhere once that the oscillators used in iPhones are mems-based and require atmospheric pressure to work. i guess they must be good to 10,000 feet at least as that's what the specs say. i assume these capsules are pressurized to the equivalent of an airplane or better so i assume they will still work. but apparently if you took the iphone on an EVA it would just stop working.

i wonder what the GPS receivers in the phones will do while in orbit? i guess becuase they are civilian models they'll just stop reporting as the iphones are headed to orbit.
Click to expand...
The key challenge of GPS in orbit would be if enough GPS satellites are in view/range. But otherwise they should be able to tell position and altitude more or less accurately. If the GPS satellites in view are too much along a similar line of sight then the triangulation may not be as accurate as on earth. EDIT: Hmmm, I hadn't considered whether the GPS satellites use more directional antenna which might mean they don't work at all for those in space.
 
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macmac30 said:
Would be curious to know what their connection speed would be in space? Knowing NASA, it is probably a 14.4 baud connection. Hopefully they are utilizing Starlink! But how cool for the astronauts! I can't imagine how lonely it would be without being able to get texts from your family!!!
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The ISS has a few connection options, depending on conditions, but their main link is 300-400Mbit and it's all relayed through secure Nasa relay satellites.. They can't use Starlink because it's about 100mi above Starlink satellites, which mostly point down towards earth.

They also routinely use VHF / UHF for voice communications and other low rate data links like telemetry. If you're a HAM or in the ARISS program, you can occasionally talk to the astronauts directly.

Fun fact, iPods have been on space missions before.

1770404934155.png
 
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Nowhere does it say "personal phones."

The actual tweet says "We are giving our crews the tools...." AS IN, NASA will be issuing astronauts with "work" phones. Come on MacRumors, do better.
 
Two iPhone 4s flew on the final space shuttle but there is no record that astronauts used them.
 
ericg301 said:
Nowhere does it say "personal phones."

The actual tweet says "We are giving our crews the tools...." AS IN, NASA will be issuing astronauts with "work" phones. Come on MacRumors, do better.
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Agree. The very first sentence says "NASA astronauts will soon fly with the latest smartphones". That alone very strongly implies they will have the latest BECAUSE they will be given the latest. Of course it may BECOME their personal phones as they may allow the astronauts to just keep those phones 'as their parting gift'
 
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