8-Year-Old Designs Zero-Gravity Indicator for Artemis II Mission

The plush toy named Rise became a viral sensation while serving an important role aboard the historic lunar flight.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:33pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A highly structured abstract painting featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric planetary circles, and precise botanical spirals in earthy tones of green, blue, and orange, conceptually representing the design and significance of the Rise mascot during the Artemis II mission.The design of the Rise mascot, inspired by key moments in space history, became a viral sensation during the Artemis II mission, engaging the public in the excitement of lunar exploration.Greenbelt Today

An 8-year-old boy named Lucas Ye designed the mission mascot Rise, a plush toy that served as a zero-gravity indicator on the Artemis II lunar mission. Rise's design, which references key moments in space history, was selected by the Artemis II crew from over 2,600 entries in a global contest. The toy was crafted by NASA's Thermal Blanket Lab and accompanied the astronauts on their historic journey around the moon.

Why it matters

The development of Rise as the Artemis II mission mascot highlights NASA's efforts to engage the public, especially young people, in the Artemis program. By running a design contest open to anyone, NASA was able to tap into creative ideas from around the world and select a mascot that resonated with the crew and the public. Rise's viral popularity also helped generate excitement and awareness for the Artemis II mission.

The details

In March 2025, NASA partnered with the crowdsourcing platform Freelancer to run a contest to design the Artemis II mission mascot. The design had to fit strict parameters, including size, weight, and materials, and had to represent 'humanity, exploration, and the spirit of the Artemis campaign.' Second-grader Lucas Ye submitted a design that was ultimately selected by the Artemis II crew as the winner. His design features references to key moments in space history, including the Apollo 8 'Earthrise' photo and the Orion capsule used on the mission. The final mascot, named Rise, was crafted by NASA's Thermal Blanket Lab to meet safety standards and included a pocket to hold over 5.6 million names submitted through NASA's 'Send Your Name with Artemis' campaign.

  • In March 2025, NASA launched the design contest with Freelancer.
  • In June 2025, the contest closed with 2,605 entries from over 50 countries.
  • In August 2025, 25 finalists were selected, including Lucas Ye's design.
  • On April 1, 2026, Rise was tethered inside the Orion capsule with the Artemis II astronauts.
  • On Monday, April 7, 2026, the Artemis II crew set a record for the farthest humans have ever travelled from Earth.

The players

Lucas Ye

A second-grade student who designed the winning mascot for the Artemis II mission.

Freelancer

The world's largest crowdsourcing company that partnered with NASA to run the design contest for the Artemis II mission mascot.

Victor Glover

The pilot of the Artemis II mission.

Christina Koch

A mission specialist on the Artemis II mission.

Pamela Cain

A technician at NASA's Thermal Blanket Lab who assembled the final version of the Rise mascot.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It was a design inspired by the Earthrise photo taken on Apollo 8, which is very special to our crew.”

— Christina Koch, Mission Specialist, Artemis II

“We never thought we got an opportunity to be part of this mission. This is really meaningful to us, especially [since] Lucas has such a passion about space and rockets. It's a very meaningful project for the whole family.”

— Lucas Ye's father

What’s next

Rise will return to Earth on Friday, April 11, 2026 when the Artemis II crew splashes down in the Pacific Ocean.

The takeaway

The Artemis II mission mascot Rise, designed by an 8-year-old boy, has become a symbol of NASA's efforts to engage the public, especially young people, in the excitement and exploration of the Artemis program. Rise's viral popularity and historical references have helped capture the spirit of this historic lunar mission.