GoKawiilRise, the fan-created, flown-to-the-moon plush toy that served as the Artemis II crew’s zero-g indicator and mascot, is now available as a NASA-approved collectible. Its sales will benefit the agency’s employee morale activities.
“Perfect for display, gifting or inspiring the next generation of explorers, the Official Rise Plush is a fun addition to any space enthusiast’s collection,” reads the doll’s description on the NASA Exchange website.
Designed by Lucas Ye, a 9-year-old Californian who won NASA and Freelancer.com’s “Moon Mascot” online challenge, Rise is a tribute to “earthrise”—the iconic scene first seen in person by the Apollo 8 crew in 1968 and recently witnessed by the Artemis II crew. Rise wears a cap that resembles the Earth rising over the Moon.
Credit: NASA The original “Rise” seen floating aboard the Orion capsule Integrity during NASA’s Artemis II mission. The original “Rise” seen floating aboard the Orion capsule Integrity during NASA’s Artemis II mission. Credit: NASA
“This little guy really resonated with us because the theme is the earthrise photo taken on Apollo 8, which is inspirational to all of us and is a mission that sort of mirrors our own,” said Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist. “We’ve incorporated [earthrise] into our mission patch and also into our ethos and values as a crew.”
Zero-g not included
The collectible plush reproduces Rise’s blue-and-green cap, as well as the rocket ship design and star field on its bill. The latter is intended to form the constellation Orion, a nod to the Orion spacecraft on which the Artemis II astronauts tested on their 10-day flight to the Moon and back.