NASA's Artemis II Mission Welcomes "Rise" as Zero Gravity Indicator

NASA's Artemis II mission has selected a plush toy named "Rise," designed by Lucas Ye, a second grader from Mountain View, California, to serve as its Zero Gravity Indicator (ZGI). The announcement was made on March 27, 2026, by Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman and his crew at Kennedy Space Center, ahead of the mission's launch window opening on April 1, 2026. The selection process involved a global design challenge that attracted over 2,600 entries from more than 50 countries, with "Rise" chosen from a shortlist of 25 finalists.

KTVU Fox 2"Rise" Selected as NASA Artemis II Moon Mascot

"Rise" is a round plush toy adorned with a baseball cap featuring Earth and a galaxy-themed brim, inspired by the iconic Earthrise photograph taken during the Apollo 8 mission. The design aims to symbolize the mission's ethos and the human element of space exploration. The plush will also carry a micro SD card containing the names of over 5.6 million individuals who registered to have their names sent to the Moon, further connecting the public to the mission.

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The ZGI tradition, which began with the Soviet space program, serves as a friendly reminder of the human aspect of space missions. "Rise" will help the crew recognize when they have reached zero gravity during their 10-day journey to the Moon's orbit. This practice has been continued in previous missions, with mascots like Snoopy and Baby Yoda serving similar roles.

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Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist, expressed the significance of "Rise," stating, "The theme of the mission is the Earthrise photo taken on Apollo 8, which is inspirational to all of us." Reid Wiseman emphasized the importance of the ZGI, noting it highlights the human element critical to their exploration efforts.

'Rise'-up! : Artemis II astronauts pick plush moon as zero-g indicator

While the selection of "Rise" has been celebrated, some critics argue that the focus on a plush toy may trivialize the serious nature of space exploration. However, supporters contend that incorporating a mascot fosters public engagement and interest in the mission.

'Rise'-up! : Artemis II astronauts pick plush moon as zero-g indicator

The Artemis II mission aims to test the capabilities of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft, paving the way for future lunar missions. Following Artemis II, NASA plans additional missions, including Artemis III, which will focus on landing astronauts on the Moon and testing commercial lunar landers.

KTVU Fox 2'Rise'-up! : Artemis II astronauts pick plush moon as zero-g indicator

• “Welcome aboard, ‘Rise.’ It was a great first flight with you. We look forward to the next one,” — Christina Koch, Artemis II Mission Specialist

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• “In a spacecraft filled with complex hardware to keep the crew alive in deep space, the indicator is a friendly and useful way to highlight the human element that is so critical to our exploration of the universe.” — Reid Wiseman, Artemis II Commander

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• “This little guy really resonated with us because the theme is actually the Earthrise photo taken on Apollo 8, which is inspirational to all of us and is a mission that sort of mirrors our own,” — Christina Koch, Artemis II Mission Specialist

'Rise'-up! : Artemis II astronauts pick plush moon as zero-g indicator

The selection of "Rise" not only represents a creative achievement for a young designer but also embodies the spirit of exploration that NASA aims to inspire in future generations.

"Rise" Selected as NASA Artemis II Moon Mascot