NASA releases official 'Rise' plush toy for Artemis II mission
The official version, priced at $25, features the iconic earthrise cap and Orion constellation but differs from the handmade original flown on the mission.
NASA has made the 'Rise' plush toy, originally flown by the Artemis II crew as a zero-gravity indicator and mascot, available for purchase as an official collectible. Designed by nine-year-old Lucas Ye, the toy features a cap resembling the 'earthrise' scene from Apollo 8 and a star field forming the Orion constellation. The official version, priced at $25, is manufactured to NASA specifications and differs from the handmade original which contained a pocket for mission signatures. Proceeds from sales support agency employee morale activities.
The collectible was created following an online challenge between NASA and Freelancer.com, where Ye's design won the 'Moon Mascot' title. The plush serves as a tribute to the 'earthrise' phenomenon, a moment first witnessed by the Apollo 8 crew in 1968 and recently experienced by the Artemis II astronauts. Mission specialist Christina Koch noted that the design resonated deeply with the crew, aligning with the ethos and values reflected in their mission patch.
While the retail version reproduces key visual elements such as the blue-and-green cap and the rocket ship design on the bill, there are distinctions between the flown item and the commercial product. The original flown plush was handmade by NASA members using only fabrics from the agency's thermal blanket lab, giving it a rougher, less manufactured appearance. Additionally, the official store description does not explicitly confirm the presence of the zippered pocket found on the original, which was added to store an SD card containing over 5.6 million mission signatures.
The official release comes after numerous unauthorised and potentially fraudulent offers for the plush appeared online since the original flew on April 1. To address this, NASA has launched the official version on the NASA Exchange, where the agency holds copyright to the design but permits reproduction by compliant hobbyists and toy companies. The store also offers additional merchandise including patches, pins, key chains, decals, magnets, and apparel featuring the mascot and a quote from crew communications.
Delivery for all Rise products is expected to take up to eight weeks due to production schedules. The employee-run shop aims to provide a legitimate source for the item, ensuring that proceeds directly benefit agency employee morale activities. This move allows space enthusiasts to acquire an authentic piece of the Artemis II mission without risking the purchase of counterfeit goods.
