A 2nd grader designed an adorable mascot for NASA’s Artemis II mission

'Rise' is a baseball hat-wearing plushie that will let the four-person crew know when they have officially hit zero gravity. The post A 2nd grader designed an adorable mascot for NASA’s Artemis II mission appeared first on Popular Science .

7 April 2026 at 08:07 am

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A 2nd grader designed an adorable mascot for NASA’s Artemis II mission, a historic journey that will mark the first time astronauts have left Earth’s orbit and circled the moon since the Apollo program. The mascot, named “Rise,” is a tiny plush doll wearing a baseball hat, designed to serve as a zero gravity indicator for the four-person crew. The idea for Rise came from Lucas Ye, a 2nd grader from Mountain View, California, who submitted his creation as part of NASA’s Moon Mascot contest.

The Artemis II mission, set to launch in August 2025, is undergoing final preparations at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. During a recent visit, mission commander Reid Wiseman revealed the unique zero gravity indicator that will accompany the crew on their journey. Rise was inspired by the iconic Earthrise moment from the Apollo 8 mission, which captured the first image of Earth from space.

A zero gravity indicator is a small, untethered object that helps astronauts visually track their transition into space. These plush items have become an international tradition in spacefaring, with examples ranging from R2-D2 and Albert Einstein to various dinosaurs. Even Snoopy, the beloved Peanuts character, was the sole inhabitant aboard the uncrewed Artemis I mission in 2022.

The Rise doll was one of over 2,600 submissions from more than 50 countries that participated in NASA’s Moon Mascot contest. The Artemis II crew narrowed down the selections to 25 finalists before selecting the top five contenders. These finalists included “Big Steps of Little Octopus” by Anzhelika Iudakova of Finland, “Corey the Explorer” by Daniela Colina of Peru, “Creation Mythos” by Johanna Beck of McPherson, Kansas, and “Lepus the Moon Bunny” by an unnamed artist.

Ultimately, the crew chose Rise as their zero gravity indicator, a decision that highlights the unique blend of creativity and symbolism behind the design. As the Artemis II mission prepares to embark on its historic journey, Rise will serve as a reminder of the inspiration and dedication of young minds around the world, as well as a celebration of the milestones achieved by NASA and its predecessors. The mission’s success will not only mark a new chapter in space exploration but also underscore the enduring impact of iconic moments like Earthrise, which continue to inspire future generations.

Source: Popular Science

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