Rise: The Zero-Gravity Mascot of NASA’s Artemis II Mission

NASA’s Artemis II mission featured a plush toy named Rise to serve as the mission mascot and a zero-gravity indicator. This specialized tool provided the crew with visual confirmation that the spacecraft had reached weightlessness during its journey around the moon.

The design of Rise was the result of a crowdsourcing partnership between NASA and Freelancer that began in March 2025. The contest sought a mascot that was not only aesthetically appealing but also met strict technical requirements for spaceflight.

Technical Design and Selection

The mascot had to adhere to specific physical parameters to be flight-ready. According to Freelancer, the design was required to fit within a 6x6x6-inch box and weigh no more than 12 ounces. The toy could only be constructed from specific materials and had to represent the spirit of exploration and the Artemis campaign.

The winning design was submitted by Lucas Ye, an eight-year-old second-grader from California. The contest closed in June 2025 after receiving 2,605 entries from more than 50 countries. In August 2025, Freelancer selected 25 finalists, which included the design for Rise.

Symbolism and Space History

Every element of the plush toy’s appearance references a milestone in space exploration. The round white body of the mascot represents the moon, while a tiny footprint on the back refers to Neil Armstrong’s 1969 arrival on the lunar surface.

The toy’s cap was inspired by the Earthrise photograph taken during the Apollo 8 mission in 1968. Further details include a visor and brim decorated with rockets and a galaxy, as well as the Orion constellation, which shares its name with the capsule used by the Artemis II crew.

Data Integration and Global Participation

Beyond its role as a zero-gravity indicator, Rise carried a significant amount of passenger data. The mascot contained a MicroSD card storing the names of 5,647,889 people from around the world.

These individuals participated through the Send Your Name with Artemis campaign, allowing millions of global citizens to be represented on the journey around the moon.

Mission Context

Rise is the second zero-gravity indicator used in the Artemis program. The 2022 Artemis I test flight utilized the Peanuts character Snoopy, a long-standing mascot for NASA.

The Artemis II crew, consisting of astronauts Wiseman, Koch, Glover, and Hansen, represents a historic shift in lunar exploration. The team includes the first woman, the first Black man, and the first non-U.S. Citizen to journey to the moon.

The mission follows the trajectory of Apollo 8 and serves as a stepping stone toward establishing a permanent lunar base. The four astronauts are scheduled to return to Earth on Friday, April 17, 2026.