The development of the mission mascot and viral sensation Rise began over a year before Artemis II blasted off.

A plush toy designed by a young student from Mountain View, California, will ride aboard NASA’s Artemis II spacecraft as the crew’s zero-gravity indicator, the agency confirmed on March 27, 2026. Called “Rise,

The chosen indicator, beating over 2,600 entries from adults and children, is the work of Lucas Ye from Mountain View, California. Ye's entry is called “Rise”, and it was inspired by the iconic "Earthrise" image taken by astronaut William Anders on Apollo 8.

Nutella superfans already know the chocolate-hazelnut spread tastes out of this world — now, it’s actually traveled there.

When the four astronauts of Artemis II climb into their Orion capsule for humanity’s first crewed trip beyond low Earth orbit since 1972, a small plush toy will be buckled in alongside them. Its name is Rise,

A Nutella jar drifting in zero gravity stole the spotlight during NASA’s Artemis II livestream. NASA confirmed it was part of astronaut food supplies, not a brand partnership.

A jar of Nutella floating in zero gravity during NASA’s Artemis II livestream has become an instant viral sensation, dubbed the best free ad.

A floating Nutella jar aboard NASA's Artemis II went viral, with internet users calling the zero-gravity moment the greatest free advertisement in history.