NASA has announced the selection of 25 finalists for its “Moon Mascot: NASA Artemis II ZGI Design Challenge,” which aims to find a plush toy to accompany astronauts on their upcoming mission to the Moon. This contest, conducted in collaboration with Freelancer, attracted a total of 2,605 entries from around the globe between March and June 2023. The winning toy will serve as the mission’s zero-gravity indicator (ZGI), providing a visual cue to the crew that they have entered a microgravity environment.
The finalists’ designs showcase a diverse array of themes, including anthropomorphized animals, mythological creatures, and references to NASA’s extensive history in space exploration. Matt Barrie, chief executive of Freelancer, expressed admiration for the creativity demonstrated by the finalists, stating, “These finalists have proven they indeed have ‘the right stuff.'” The complete list of finalists and their submissions can be found at collectSPACE.com.
Global Participation and Recognition
The chosen plush toy will be tethered inside the Orion spacecraft during the Artemis 2 mission, which is scheduled for launch in 2024. As the spacecraft reaches the zero-gravity environment of space, the toy will begin to float, signaling to the astronauts that they are experiencing microgravity. Each of the 25 finalists will receive either $1,225 or an Artemis-themed prize pack, depending on their age.
The finalists hail from various countries, including Canada, Colombia, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Peru, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In the U.S., entries were submitted from states such as California, Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Nebraska, Texas, and Virginia.
Participants were tasked with designing a small plush toy that encapsulated the themes of “humanity, exploration, and the spirit of the Artemis campaign.” The designs had to be crafted using materials from NASA’s Thermal Blanket Lab, where the final choice will be manufactured for the mission.
A Historic Mission Ahead
The Artemis 2 mission is set to be a significant milestone, marking the first crewed lunar mission since Apollo 17 in 1972. While the astronauts will not land on the Moon, they will embark on a journey around it before returning to Earth. The inclusion of a plush toy as a ZGI adds a unique touch to this historic mission, engaging the public and inspiring future generations to participate in space exploration.
Barrie highlighted the importance of creativity in the contest, noting that the finalists should take pride in their contributions to humanity’s ongoing pursuit of understanding the cosmos. The Artemis program continues to push boundaries, aiming to foster a new era of exploration beyond our planet.
