iPhone 17 Pro Max and Nutella get unexpected spotlight during NASA’s Artemis II mission

NASA’s live coverage of the Artemis II mission, which began on April 6, 2026, offered viewers an intimate look inside the Orion spacecraft as four astronauts - Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and mission specialist Jeremy Hansen - travelled farther from Earth than any humans since the Apollo era. Amid the historic journey, two familiar consumer products unexpectedly appeared on screen, providing both Apple and Nutella with significant, unpaid visibility to a global audience.

NASA posted photographs of astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft, including views of Earth from space. The images show astronauts Reid Wiseman and Christina Koch looking back at their home planet through the spacecraft windows. 

There are no words. pic.twitter.com/W7JRAN8Je

— Reid Wiseman (@astro_reid) April 5, 2026

When users asked about the camera used, the agency confirmed that some of these images were captured using the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

This marked one of the first instances of a consumer smartphone being used to document a crewed mission of this scale. NASA had approved four silver iPhone 17 Pro Max units for the crew well before launch, after a detailed evaluation process that assessed hardware durability, safety risks, and performance in microgravity conditions.

While the spacecraft carries professional cameras for official documentation, the iPhones were provided as compact personal tools for capturing additional photos and videos.

The inclusion of smartphones added a different layer to how the mission was documented, by providing a more accessible, first-person perspective of life aboard the spacecraft.

Social media comments ranged from amazement to humour. Some users wrote, “Shot on iPhone just reached space level,” while another noted, “We have an astronaut posting on X from a spacecraft that is over halfway to the moon. What a time to be alive.” Others pointed to the relatability factor, saying, “The same phone in my pocket is in space right now.”

There were also lighter takes, with users joking, “Next iPhone launch: tested beyond Earth,” and “Now we know what ‘Pro Max’ really means.”

Nutella floating during livestream

In a separate moment during the livestream, a jar of Nutella was clearly visible drifting slowly through the cabin in zero gravity. The timing was particularly memorable as the clip appeared just minutes before the crew surpassed the distance record set by Apollo 13.

Nutella quickly capitalised on the viral moment. On April 6, the brand’s official X account (@NutellaUSA) posted the clip with the caption: “Honoured to have travelled further than any spread in history. Taking spreading smiles to new heights.” 

Honored to have traveled further than any spread in history ? Taking spreading smiles to new heights ❤️ pic.twitter.com/vDUJMi1qbS

— Nutella (@NutellaUSA) April 6, 2026

Comments like “Billions spent to reach space, and a jar of Nutella steals the spotlight for free,” and “Nutella just reached space before most of us will,” circulated widely. Another user wrote, “Proof that we love Nutella to the moon and back,” while others joked, “Finally, breakfast in space is sorted.”

As the clip gained traction, questions emerged around whether the appearance was intentional.

NASA clarified that the Nutella jar was not part of any commercial partnership, stating that the agency does not select food items in association with brands. The jar was part of the astronauts’ onboard meal supplies, which include a wide range of packaged food items designed for long-duration missions.

Reports note that the crew’s menu includes items such as macaroni and cheese, tortillas, hot sauces, and other packaged foods, with Nutella likely included as a snack option.