Artemis II Astronauts to Carry Moon Mascot 'Rise' on Lunar Mission

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The four astronauts set to embark on the Artemis II mission - Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen - will be accompanied by 'Rise,' a plush moon mascot selected as the mission's zero-gravity indicator. The design of 'Rise' pays homage to the iconic 'Earthrise' photograph taken during the Apollo 8 mission in 1968, connecting the Artemis II mission to this pivotal moment in space exploration history.

Why it matters

The selection of 'Rise' as the Artemis II zero-gravity indicator marks a significant step forward in NASA's renewed push for lunar exploration. This tradition of including small toys to visually signal the crew's arrival in weightlessness helps humanize the mission and build excitement around the Artemis program's goals of establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon.

The details

The Artemis II mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than April 1 and will send the crew on a ten-day journey around the Moon and back. This will be the first crewed mission beyond Earth orbit in over 50 years, since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. The astronauts could potentially surpass the record for the furthest humans have traveled from Earth, currently held by Apollo 13 at 248,655 miles. Artemis II will be the first flight of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft with a human crew, representing a crucial step in establishing a sustainable presence on the Moon.

• Artemis II is scheduled to launch no earlier than April 1.
• The mission will last for ten days.

What’s next

The Artemis II mission is a crucial step in establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon, paving the way for future lunar landings and more ambitious space exploration missions.