Artemis 2 Astronauts are Taking Personal Smartphones and a Plushie to the Moon in Historic NASA First

NASA's four-person crew is preparing to venture further into space than any human in half a century as the Artemis 2 mission nears its launch date.

While the journey involves cutting-edge spacecraft, the astronauts are bringing along some surprisingly familiar tech to document their deep-space experiences. This choice marks a significant shift in how space agencies approach off-the-shelf gadgets for high-stakes lunar exploration.

A New Era for Smartphones in Deep Space

By finally approving modern smartphones for flight, NASA is completely reshaping its approach to both technical hardware and the way space stories are shared. Crew members heading to the ISS and those on the Artemis II mission will now carry the latest iPhone and Android models, moving away from total reliance on heavy, outdated DSLRs and GoPros.

NASA has spent decades barring personal electronics from its crewed missions, but that restriction vanished in early 2026 when Administrator Jared Isaacman cleared smartphones for Artemis II. While all files must still pass through official channels before reaching the public—meaning live social media updates from deep space are off-limits—astronauts can now capture candid photos and private video journals from 230,000 miles away.

Tablets, Laptops and the Ultimate Movie Marathon

Astronauts will also carry personal tablets and laptops, pre-loaded with essential mission manuals, technical documents and, most importantly, a selection of films. Spending 10 days inside a cramped spacecraft is a significant challenge, making downtime vital even for the most seasoned professionals. While NASA has kept the specific Artemis II movie list under wraps, anyone about to become the first person in 50 years to witness the lunar far side would surely pack a high-quality playlist for the journey.

The Nikon Z9: A Professional Camera for the Lunar Surface

Rather than commissioning a bespoke $10 million (£7.56 million) camera for the mission, NASA opted for the Nikon Z9—the exact flagship mirrorless model used by professional sports and wildlife photographers on Earth.

After engineers fine-tuned the firmware, adjusted settings for deep-space conditions, and updated the file transfer protocols, they created a 45.7-megapixel powerhouse ready to photograph the Moon from 4,600 miles above its surface.

Two Million Digital Passengers on a Single SD Card

This specific SD card won't be storing shots from Z9 cameras. Instead, it is carrying more than two million passengers. It holds the digital signatures of everyone who joined NASA's 'Send Your Name to the Moon' campaign.

Though the gesture is purely symbolic, there is a certain magic in a tiny chip carrying a massive record of humanity on a journey around the lunar far side and home again.

The Low-Tech Charm of the Second-Grade Plushie

Every crewed mission brings along a small soft toy for a surprisingly low-tech reason: the moment it starts drifting, the crew knows they've reached weightlessness.

This time, that honour belongs to a cap-wearing plushie designed by a second-grade pupil. There is something truly lovely about a child's imagination becoming an official flight kit alongside billions of pounds' worth of space hardware.

ROCKY: The 30-Pound 'Yo-Yo' Gym for Orion

The exercise gear on the ISS weighs more than 4,000 pounds—about three times the total space inside the Orion capsule. To solve this, NASA developed 'ROCKY', a 30-pound flywheel that fits into a carry-on bag and works just like a yo-yo. When an astronaut pulls the cable, the spinning wheel tugs back with up to 400 pounds of resistance, allowing for full-body workouts from squats to rows. It even serves as a boarding step on launch day.

The Essential Universal Waste Management System

A mission gear list just wouldn't be complete without a look at the toilet. NASA's Universal Waste Management System (UWMS) does the unglamorous but vital work of keeping four people comfortable inside a sealed capsule for 10 days. It is usually one of the first things astronauts want to ensure is working perfectly.

Designed specifically for Orion and missions like Artemis II, this compact system is a clever rethink of how to handle basic needs in weightlessness. Since there is no gravity to help, the UWMS uses dual-fan suction to draw liquid through adjustable hoses into a separator, while solid waste is sealed in individual bags and stowed away for disposal.

A Historic Crew Equipped for the Moon

The Artemis II mission has officially launched, carrying Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen on a historic journey beyond any human travel since 1972. It is a fascinating mix of high and low tech: the crew is heading toward the Moon equipped with a standard camera you could find online, a soft toy designed by a primary school pupil, and a 'yo-yo' device for their daily workouts.