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Artemis II commander shares iPhone Earthset video

Engadget •
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Commander Reid Wiseman posted a short video capturing Earth setting behind the Moon during Artemis II’s lunar flyby. While mission specialist Christina Koch framed stills with a Nikon, Wiseman filmed through the docking hatch using an iPhone 17 Pro Max, noting the 8× zoom matched the human eye. The clip shows the planet disappearing in real time.

The phenomenon, last witnessed by Apollo 17 astronauts in 1972, marked the first human‑eye Earthset in 54 years. Artemis II crew traveled more than 5,000 miles beyond the Moon, reaching a cumulative distance of roughly a quarter‑million miles from Earth—the farthest any humans have ventured from terra firma. The view underscores the mission’s deep‑space milestone.

Wiseman’s unedited footage, shared on X, offers the public a rare visual of humanity’s outward reach and demonstrates how consumer devices can document historic moments. By capturing the Earthset with a smartphone, the crew highlighted both the mission’s scientific significance and its cultural resonance, delivering a vivid reminder of our place in space.

The video also sparked conversation about the role of off‑the‑shelf tech in aerospace documentation. Apple’s latest iPhone, already marketed for its advanced optics, now carries a space‑flight credit, potentially influencing future product positioning. For enthusiasts, the clip serves as proof that high‑quality space media no longer requires specialized equipment.