How NASA uses a simple plush toy to signal the arrival of microgravity

The Artemis II mission will carry a unique zero gravity indicator to signal when the Orion spacecraft enters microgravity. NASA invited the public to design this mascot, which must be soft, compact, and evocative of home, to be crafted by the agency's Thermal Blanket Lab.

During the Artemis II mission, astronauts will rely on a zero gravity indicator to visually confirm the transition into a microgravity environment. This object serves as a practical tool for demonstrating the onset of weightlessness once the Orion spacecraft reaches its destination.

To foster public engagement, NASA launched the Moon Mascot contest, allowing participants of all ages to submit designs for this indicator. The selected mascot will be constructed by the Thermal Blanket Lab and officially flown aboard the spacecraft, bridging the gap between deep-space exploration and human connection to Earth.

Source: How to Know You’re in Space: Zero Gravity Indicators