ZGI_YouTube_Version.webm
Summary: NASA's Artemis II crew chose 'Rise,' an Earth-inspired plushie, as their unique zero-gravity indicator (ZGI) after a global design challenge. This video showcases its creation at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, using specialized, space-safe materials.
For the Artemis II mission, astronauts initiated a global design challenge to find a unique Zero-Gravity Indicator (ZGI) – a plush toy that visually signals the onset of weightlessness in space. Over 2,600 submissions were received from various countries including Finland, Canada, Peru, and the United States. The crew ultimately selected 'Rise,' an egg-shaped plushie wearing an Earth-patterned cap, inspired by the iconic Earthrise photo from Apollo 8. The video details the meticulous manufacturing process at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center's Thermal Blanket Lab, where technicians like Paula Cain used specialized, flame-retardant materials that prevent outgassing, ensuring the toy meets rigorous NASA safety standards. 'Rise' also includes a pocket for an SD card, carrying millions of names submitted by the public, allowing them to virtually join the Artemis II crew on their journey to the Moon.
Playback guide
1. time: 0:00 description: Astronauts in orange suits preparing for a mission, carrying bags. Narrator introduces the concept of packing for a journey to the Moon. 2. time: 0:04 description: Astronauts getting suited up, highlighting the essentials for a space trip: clothes, food, a map, and a favorite toy. 3. time: 0:10 description: A toy giraffe is shown, explained as a 'Zero-Gravity Indicator' (ZGI), floating in a spacecraft. 4. time: 0:14 description: Astronaut Christina Koch with a plush Earth toy floating beside her, demonstrating its role as a ZGI. 5. time: 0:17 description: Various plush toys, including a white fluffy animal and a dinosaur, floating in spacecrafts, illustrating different ZGIs in action. 6. time: 0:24 description: A montage of diverse ZGI design submissions for the Artemis II mission, showcasing creative plush toy concepts like a hippo, flying squirrel, and alien. 7. time: 0:34 description: The four Artemis II astronauts, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, thank participants for over 2,600 submissions. 8. time: 0:45 description: More detailed ZGI design submissions are displayed, including a red dinosaur-like creature and astronaut plushies. 9. time: 0:50 description: Jeremy Hansen announces the top five designs from Finland, Canada, Peru, Kansas, and California, with images of these selected designs. 10. time: 0:58 description: Christina Koch reveals the winning ZGI design, 'Rise,' an egg-shaped plushie with an Earth-patterned cap, inspired by the Apollo 8 Earthrise photo. 11. time: 1:07 description: A technician, Paula Cain, begins the process of sewing the 'Rise' plushie at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center's Thermal Blanket Lab. An aerial view of the facility is shown. 12. time: 1:19 description: Lab technicians handle and prepare materials, including gold thermal blankets, for the ZGI's construction. 13. time: 1:23 description: Close-up of hands applying liquid to material, part of the meticulous preparation for space-grade materials. 14. time: 1:26 description: Paula Cain cuts and works with materials in the lab, emphasizing the specialized environment. 15. time: 1:30 description: Paula Cain continues sewing the 'Rise' plushie, with text explaining the importance of preventing 'outgassing' in space materials. 16. time: 1:39 description: Paula Cain showcases the nearly finished 'Rise' ZGI doll, detailing the final touches and pointing out a pocket for an SD card. 17. time: 1:54 description: Astronauts inside the Orion spacecraft, with the narrator mentioning the SD card will carry millions of submitted names. 18. time: 2:01 description: The NASA logo appears, concluding the video.