Meet the creator of the plushie floating around Artemis II, a California second grader

Lukas Ye, a second-grade student from California, designed the official zero-gravity indicator plushie for NASA's Artemis II mission, which was announced during a CBS News interview with him and his mother in early 2025. The selection of his design was part of a broader NASA initiative to engage young students in the historic lunar mission, aiming to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers through direct participation in space exploration. The plushie, a small stuffed toy, serves a critical functional role aboard the Orion spacecraft. As the capsule enters microgravity on its journey around the Moon, the toy will begin to float, providing the four-person crew with a simple, visual confirmation that they have achieved a weightless environment. This tradition of using zero-gravity indicators dates back to the early days of human spaceflight, often employing items like plush toys or small mascots that are both lightweight and visually distinctive. Lukas's involvement highlights NASA's educational outreach efforts for the Artemis program. By incorporating a child's creation into a high-profile mission, the agency seeks to make space exploration more relatable and accessible to young audiences. The story has captured public imagination, illustrating how monumental scientific endeavors can intersect with personal, grassroots contributions. The plushie will accompany astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen on their approximately 10-day voyage, scheduled to be the first crewed mission to the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972.