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In a surprising twist, the zero-gravity indicator wasn’t developed by seasoned engineers. Instead, it was imagined and stitched together by Lucas Ye, an eight-year-old space enthusiast from California.
NASA set to send people back to Moon, but why a 'white plush toy' made by an 8-year-old will be aboard(NASA)As anticipation builds worldwide for the Artemis II mission - set to mark humanity’s first crewed journey to the Moon in more than 50 years - focus isn’t just on the astronauts. Alongside the crew aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft will be an unusual companion: a soft toy named “Rise,” tasked with a crucial role in the mission.
Beyond the four-member crew, “Rise,” a small white plush figure, will travel inside the spacecraft. Its purpose is functional - it will float once the spacecraft enters microgravity, signalling to astronauts that they have moved beyond Earth’s gravitational pull.
Who created ‘Rise’?
In a surprising twist, the zero-gravity indicator wasn’t developed by seasoned engineers. Instead, it was imagined and stitched together by Lucas Ye, an eight-year-old space enthusiast from California, turning a childhood passion into a part of spaceflight history.
What is the tradition behind zero gravity indicators?
The concept dates back to 1961, when Yuri Gagarin carried a small doll aboard the Vostok 1 mission. Since then, various mascots - including characters like Baby Yoda and Snoopy - have been used in space missions to visually indicate weightlessness.
To choose a mascot for the lunar flyby, NASA partnered with Freelancer.com to host a global design competition. The challenge drew more than 2,600 submissions from participants across 50 countries. The Artemis II crew, led by Commander Reid Wiseman, ultimately selected Lucas’s design.
What inspired the design of ‘Rise’?
The plush toy carries symbolic meaning. Its design pays homage to the historic “Earthrise” photograph captured during the Apollo 8 mission. “Rise” features a white body with a hat depicting Earth, while the brim is decorated with imagery of galaxies and rockets.
Mission specialist Christina Koch said the mascot reflects the spirit of the mission. “It is a mission that sort of mirrors our own," she remarked during its unveiling at the Kennedy Space Center.
Hidden inside the plush is a microSD card containing the names of everyone who signed up for the design challenge, symbolically carrying thousands of people along on the journey.
Although the competition required only a concept, Lucas went a step further and crafted the toy himself. The young space enthusiast from Mountain View has long been fascinated by space — and now, something he created will travel around the Moon.
Reflecting on the initiative, Trisha Epp from Freelancer emphasised its impact: “Your design is literally going to space, which is not a sentence most people get to say. It’s a beautiful example of crowdsourcing solutions to NASA’s trickiest problems."
About the Author
Kanishka Singharia
Kanishka Singharia is a Senior Content Producer at Mint with a passion for news, trends, and the stories shaping the digital world. She specialises in spotting viral narratives by constantly tracking social media platforms and turning them into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Her work ranges from fast-paced breaking updates to sensitive human-interest features, blending speed with clarity. <br><br> With over four years of experience in news and trend reporting, Kanishka has worked with leading organisations such as Hindustan Times and Times Now. She moves seamlessly between profiling business leaders and telling the stories of everyday people, covering national developments just as effortlessly as the memes and conversations that dominate online culture. <br><br> She also reports on real estate developments and civic challenges in major urban hubs like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Gurugram. Her coverage frequently explores the struggles of startup founders, inspiring journeys of CEOs, and the experiences of candidates dealing with the complexities of visa processes. <br><br> Kanishka holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism from Delhi University and a diploma from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. Rarely offline, she spends much of her time scrolling through X, LinkedIn, Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook in search of the next big story. When she finally logs off, she enjoys binge-watching shows and exploring cafes in pursuit of good food and better conversations.
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