NASA’s Viral iPhone Moon Video: Apple’s Unpaid Ad and the New Era of Space Tech

NASA this week released a stunning video titled “Earthset”, capturing the humbling moment when the Artemis II crew—now safely back on Earth—witnessed our planet setting behind the lunar surface. Filmed from the window of the crew’s capsule, the recording showcases the bright blue curve of Earth slowly disappearing behind the moon’s dark, cratered terrain. The high-quality iPhone 17 Pro Max lens even picked up wispy weather systems swirling over the oceans, with the lunar surface in sharp focus.

An awestruck astronaut can be heard exhaling, “Dude… no way.”

The video was shot by Reid Wiseman, the American astronaut who commanded the Artemis II mission. Since its release, the clip has gone viral, amassing millions of views and offering NASA another shareable milestone during a crowded and often somber news cycle. Beyond its visual impact, the footage underscores a remarkable truth: today’s consumer smartphones are powerful enough for space exploration.

NASA only recently updated its policies to allow astronauts to bring personal smartphones into space. On the Orion capsule, the four Artemis II astronauts also carried professional-grade equipment, including Nikon D5 and Z9 cameras. Yet the iPhone recording has inevitably drawn attention—and not just for its scientific value.

Consumer tech outlets quickly recognized the video’s potential as an implicit advertisement for Apple. One outlet even dubbed the “Earthset” footage—evoking the iconic “Earthrise” image from Apollo 8—the “best iPhone ad Apple never made.”

“You captured the wonders of space and our planet beautifully, taking iPhone photography to new heights, and we’re grateful you shared it with the world.”
— Tim Cook, Apple CEO, in a social media post

Tech companies have long sought association with space missions for the prestige and publicity they bring. HP has highlighted its decades-long collaboration with NASA, including building the original Apollo program computer and ongoing support for the International Space Station. Lockheed Martin has also leveraged the Artemis program in ads, praising its Orion crew capsule on platforms like Wired.

Space imagery carries profound emotional weight, making it a prime opportunity for subtle product placement. However, Apple faces a unique challenge if it attempts to capitalize on the “Earthset” video. While NASA produced the footage, the agency makes it freely available to the public. Anyone can view additional Artemis mission videos and images through NASA’s Flickr account or explore the space agency’s photo repository, where metadata often includes camera model and manufacturer details. Apple has not commented on whether it plans to use the video for promotional purposes.