The four astronauts who traveled around the far side of the moon will return to Earth on Friday. With them will be a plush toy named Rise, a mission mascot who became a viral sensation while serving an important role aboard Artemis II.Rise’s development began more than a year before Artemis II blasted off for its historic trip. In March 2025, NASA partnered with Freelancer, the world’s largest crowdsourcing company, to run a design contest to lead to the mascot’s design. The winner didn’t just have to be cute and cuddly: It also needed to serve as a zero-gravity indicator that would signal when the crew reached weightlessness.Designs had to fit into tough parameters, according to a news release from Freelancer. It had to fit in a 6x6x6-inch box and weigh no more than 12 ounces. It could only be made with specific materials, and it had to “represent humanity, exploration, and the spirit of the Artemis campaign,” according to Freelancer.AdvertisementAdvertisementSecond-grader Lucas Ye decided to take part. Some early ideas “didn’t really work out,” he said in Freelancer’s news release. After “some brainstorming,” he came up with the design that would become Rise. Lucas Ye works on the design that would become Rise. / Credit: FreelancerEach aspect of the plush references a moment in space history, according to Freelancer: The round white body represents the moon, and a tiny footprint on the back references Neil Armstrong’s arrival there in 1969. The toy’s cap is inspired by Apollo 8’s “Earthrise” photo, and its visor and brim are decorated with a galaxy and rockets. The constellation Orion is also featured in the design. Orion is the name of the capsule used by the Artemis II astronauts.Lucas sketched the design, then built a prototype himself, according to Freelancer. When submissions for the contest closed in June 2025, the company reviewed 2,605 entries from more than 50 countries. In August, Freelancer selected 25 finalists, including Rise. At the time, Lucas told Freelancer that he would feel “hyperactive” if Rise was actually selected.Five designs were shortlisted. Then the Artemis II crew picked their favorite. Of course, it wound up being Rise.Lucas Ye creates a prototype of Rise. / Credit: FreelancerIn a NASA …
