NASA has launched a global design competition, inviting artists, engineers, students, and space enthusiasts to contribute to the Artemis II mission. The challenge is to design a "Zero Gravity Indicator" (ZGI), a small mascot that will float inside the Orion spacecraft to indicate when it enters zero gravity during its journey around the Moon.

This creative opportunity gives participants the chance to have their design travel to space alongside four astronauts on the first crewed Artemis mission.

The mascot must be more than just cute, it needs to be original, meaningful, and space-ready. The design should show the spirit of Artemis II and be safe for use in zero gravity. NASA has mentioned a few important guidelines:

1.The mascot must fit inside a 6-inch cube.

2. It should weigh no more than 0.75 pounds.

3. Only certain materials are allowed, including cotton, polyester, faux fur, Kevlar, and Beta Cloth.

4. The design cannot feature any country flags, logos, or NASA branding.

The mascot should represent the global importance of space exploration, rather than any single country or commercial entity.

Who can participate

Anyone can join in the competition, whether as individuals, teams, classrooms, artists, or designers, provided they are from countries approved by NASA. Students are also welcome, but they must have an adult (parent or teacher) as their team leader with them.

Finalists and prizes

Winners will be announced later this summer, with cash prizes and recognition from NASA. The most exciting part: the winning mascot will travel to the Moon and back, covering a distance of 240,000 miles, becoming a part of space history.

A mission for the future

Artemis II is a key step in NASA’s goal to return humans to the Moon. It will be the first crewed mission using the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft. Four astronauts, including the first woman and first person of colour on a lunar mission, will take a 10-day trip around the Moon. This mission will pave the way for Artemis III, which aims to land astronauts on the Moon in 2027. But first, NASA wants a small, floating mascot to add a personal touch to this monumental journey.

How to join

Entries are now open and will close on May 27, 2025. The contest provides design templates, material guidelines, and support for both experienced designers and newcomers.

This is a rare opportunity for anyone eager to be part of space exploration or simply wants to see their creativity reach new heights, making it an exciting chance to contribute to something truly remarkable.

 

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