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Rise Plushie Takes NASA By Storm!
30 Apr
Summary
- A smiling moon plushie named Rise captured public attention.
- Designed by a child, Rise became an unexpected mission star.
- Demand for merchandise outstripped initial supply.
A plush toy named Rise, designed by second-grader Lucas Ye, has become an unexpected phenomenon following NASA's Artemis II mission. This smiling moon character, inspired by the iconic Earthrise image, served as a zero-gravity indicator and quickly garnered affection from the crew, who affectionately called it their "stowaway."
The crew's evident fondness for Rise, often seen in broadcasts and personal posts, fueled public fascination. This unexpected popularity led to a massive demand for Rise merchandise, catching NASA's retail operations off guard. Gift shops, including the Kennedy Space Center's, were flooded with requests for the plushie.
While the original Rise was a bespoke creation made with spaceflight-approved materials, NASA Exchange is now offering plushies for $24.99. These commercially produced versions aim to meet the high demand, though some details may differ from the mission-specific original. Profits from sales will support NASA employees' facilities and activities.
