The next major goal of NASA’s Artemis moon program is to send astronauts around the moon and bring them back safely. The crewed Artemis II test flight is set to launch in 2026, and you have a shot at creating one of the items that will fly inside the Orion capsule.
NASA wants global creators to design a zero gravity indicator. “Zero gravity indicators are small, plush items carried aboard spacecraft to provide a visual indication of when the spacecraft and its crew reach space,” NASA said in its call for creators on March 7. These little toys are tethered in a way that allows them to float, but not float away.
NASA Moon Mascot Challenge
NASA has partnered with crowdsourcing company Freelancer for the Moon Mascot design challenge. The space agency is seeking “original designs representing the significance of NASA’s Artemis campaign, the mission, or exploration and discovery.” That’s a pretty broad brief, but there are some specific requirements for materials and size. The indicator has a limit of 6 inches and a weight limit of three-quarters of a pound.
There’s more. Only limited types of material will be available, including flame-resistant thread, faux fur, polyester fiberfill and certain types of fabric. That means you shouldn’t submit a creation that needs to be made out of dried oranges, steel, paper or other materials that aren’t on the approved list. Think soft stuffies.
The submission deadline is May 27. Finalists will be announced by July 31, 2025. There are four categories for kids and adults with monetary prizes for each. NASA will make the call on the winning design that gets to go to space.
Snoopy As Moon Mascot
Artemis 1 launched in late 2022 with no humans on board. The test mission involved an Orion spacecraft traveling around the moon and returning to Earth. The Artemis I zero-gravity indicator was a little stuffed Snoopy wearing an orange spacesuit.
NASA has a long history with cartoonist Charles Schulz’s “Peanuts” character dating back to the Apollo moon program era. “Snoopy was selected as the zero-gravity indicator for the flight because of the inspiration and excitement the character has provided for human spaceflight for more than 50 years,” NASA said in 2022. The crowdsourced Artemis II mascot represents a move in a new direction for the space agency.
Four astronauts are slated to ride on Orion for Artemis II. NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch will be joined by Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. Timing, however, is up in the air. NASA announced a delay in late 2024 with a new anticipated launch date in April 2026. That’s a seven-month pushback from the previous target of September 2025.
Space missions are often saddled with delays, especially when newer hardware and humans are involved. The Artemis II delay traces to an issue with the heat shield on the Orion space capsule during its inaugural uncrewed test flight. The heat shield cracked during Orion’s return to Earth. The interior of the capsule remained safe and it made a successful splashdown, but NASA wants to correct the issue before astronauts are inside.
A lot will need to go right for Artemis II to launch in 2026. It’s about Orion being ready and about NASA having the budget, the personnel and the will for the Artemis program to continue. The space agency is forging ahead despite uncertainty and it’s looking for ways to get the public excited and involved. The mascot challenge is one way to bring space fans into the fold.
What will your mascot design look like? A rocket? A piece of cheese? An astronaut? It’s wide open.
