"Artemis" Moon Mission with a Mascot from Germany? - Berlin Artist's Zero-Gravity Mascot Could Float to the Moon on Artemis 2

A zero-gravity indicator designed by a Berlin-based science communicator could soon travel to the Moon. Giulia Bona's creation is among 25 finalists in NASA's competition for the Artemis 2 mission—the first crewed lunar flyby since 1972. Her design, featuring an astronaut perched on a giant's shoulder, now awaits selection by the mission's astronauts. NASA's Artemis 2 mission marks humanity's return to the Moon's vicinity after more than five decades. Scheduled for the first half of 2026, the flight will carry the winning zero-gravity indicator—a small, floating object used to visually confirm weightlessness. The tradition dates back to Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space.

Bona's entry stands out among over 2,600 submissions as the only finalist from Germany. Her concept depicts an astronaut sitting on the shoulder of Orion, a giant from Greek mythology linked to the goddess Artemis. The name also references NASA's *Orion* spacecraft, which will transport the crew. The competition invited participants from countries chosen for their global representation, educational impact, and alignment with NASA's STEM goals. Three of the 25 finalists hail from Germany. Bona, a freelance science communicator, drew inspiration from her lifelong passion for space exploration.

The Artemis 2 crew will decide the winning design before their lunar flyby mission. If selected, Bona's mascot will float inside the spacecraft as a symbol of human creativity in deep space. The mission itself will pave the way for future crewed landings on the Moon.