A single tweak to the onboard hardware on Artemis 2 says a lot about where human spaceflight is going. In addition to the approved NASA cameras, astronauts were equipped with iPhones in the mission tasked with paving the way to deep space travel. The point is that the choice of smartphones adds an extra meaning to a trip already remarkable by the sheer number of onboard cameras.
In case of the first trip around the Moon by humans in decades, the unusual status of photography is a very important detail to consider. Indeed, a famous photograph taken during Apollo 8 gained the historical status not only because of its location, but because it radically changed the way humans perceive Earth. In contrast, the cameras brought on board Orion included 32 units of various types from professional level Nikon D3S and GoPro cameras to personal smartphones allowed for flight in microgravity.
No connectivity and no intention to replace mission cameras with smartphones the choice of additional cameras was motivated by the idea to make sure that memorable moments of the trip will be captured. A fellow crew member standing before the Earth, a casual photo taken inside Orion’s cabin or a spur of the moment shot through one of the windows of the spacecraft will have nothing to do with standard documentation of the trip.
As the commander of Artemis 2, Reid Wiseman noted, photographing from a spacecraft using a phone is not always easy. It’s like walking out back at your house, trying to take a picture of the moon. That’s what it feels like right now trying to take a picture of Earth, he said during a live stream broadcast from Mission Control. The quote touches upon the challenges connected with the process of capturing photos on such trips. Distance, the brightness of objects, reflections from the cabin’s walls, and moving in cramped conditions prevent many attempts to take perfect photos in microgravity conditions.
Artemis 2 had access to significantly better imaging technologies in comparison with the Apollo 8 trip around the Moon. However, having better tools does not guarantee taking a photo similar to the Earthrise composition. Due to the difference in geometry, a limited viewing window, and a height tenfold greater than Apollo 8’s maximum altitude (up to 100 miles), Artemis 2 astronauts had a hard time replicating a famous frame even using powerful cameras and high quality lenses. Inside a cabin no larger than two minivans, it is very difficult to rotate the position, operate equipment and look through shrouded windows to eliminate unwanted reflections from cabin surfaces. This is what makes the use of smartphones in this mission a little bit more interesting than one might expect at first glance.
According to NASA administrator, Jared Isaacman wrote, We are giving our crews the tools to capture special moments for their families and share inspiring images and video with the world. smartphones are a useful tool to capture the crew’s special moments as well as provide a possibility to take photographs and make videos that could inspire other people. NASA cleared iPhones for use in microgravity environments only earlier this year in February. According to administrator, his organization tries to fast track the clearance of new technologies if it makes sense for the mission.
The point is important because consumer electronics cannot go straight to a spacecraft. Space systems have to withstand radiation, temperature extremes, and issues associated with batteries and other potential threats to a mission’s success. Consumer electronics should be used inside a cabin with proper environmental control and approval of NASA experts. Thus, Artemis 2 was not only about taking photographs. It was a carefully thought out and planned step in introducing modern day electronics to spacecraft missions that require increased flexibility and quick response to changes.
At the moment, Nikon is still the main camera type on Artemis 2. But adding smartphones was the way to make sure that a memorable shot can be taken instantly and with ease. That is why the composition combining professional cameras and smartphones may become the symbol of Artemis 2 mission.