NASA is thrilled to announce that it has narrowed down its selection to 25 finalists for the Artemis II zero gravity indicator, which is set to accompany the mission’s crew on their journey around the Moon and back next year. This exciting initiative is being led by astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch from NASA, along with Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen. Together, they will soon choose one of the finalist designs to serve as their mascot aboard the Orion spacecraft.
A zero gravity indicator is a small plush item that travels with the crew to visually signify when they are in space. For the initial eight minutes following liftoff, both the crew and their indicator will experience the force of gravity, keeping them firmly in their seats. However, once the main engines of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket’s core stage shut down, the crew will be freed from the grip of gravity. The floating ability of their zero gravity indicator will serve as a tangible proof that they have successfully reached space.
The Artemis II mission represents a groundbreaking opportunity for the public to contribute to the creation of the crew’s mascot. The designs were chosen from an impressive pool of over 2,600 submissions from more than 50 countries, including contributions from K-12 students worldwide. The finalists hail from 10 different countries, including the United States, Canada, Colombia, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Peru, Singapore, and Wales.
In March, NASA issued a call for innovative design ideas for the zero gravity indicator to be flown aboard Artemis II, marking the first crewed mission under NASA’s Artemis campaign. Designers were encouraged to submit concepts that conveyed the significance of the Artemis mission or the themes of exploration and discovery, adhering to specific size and material guidelines. The contest was facilitated by the crowdsourcing platform Freelancer, under the management of NASA’s Tournament Lab, which is part of the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate.
Once the crew selects the final design, NASA’s Thermal Blanket Lab will produce the indicator for flight. The chosen indicator will be securely tethered inside the Orion spacecraft prior to launch. The upcoming approximately 10-day mission will not only pave the way for future lunar explorations but also aid NASA in its preparations for subsequent human missions to Mars.
Through the Artemis program, NASA is committed to sending astronauts to the Moon for scientific discovery and economic advancement, laying the groundwork for future crewed missions to the Red Planet.
