The National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationNASAfor its acronym in English opened A contest in the world to design a zero gravity indicator (IGC)that astronauts will use on the next manned trip to the Moon of the Artemis program in 2026. The purpose is to believe a stuffed animal.
To understand more this process it is important to describe that zero gravity indicators They are small objects that are transported aboard spacecraft and that provide a visual indicator. The ZGI are usually stuffed animals, who are aboard the spacecraft to visually indicate when the ship enters a microgravity environment. That is, when everything starts to float.
The deadline to participate in the design contest of the zero gravity indicator (ZGI) It has extended until June 16, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. (East time of the US).
The winner will also receive an award of US $ 1,225 (Q9,430 Quetzals approximately). For now the site says that more than 100 participations have been received. You can compete individually, by team or by entity. However, the prize will be granted entirely to the team leader. This is responsible for distributing the prize among its members and must be of legal age.
If chosen, the design will serve to manufacture a ZGI that will accompany the crew of Artemis II within the Orion spacecraft During his trip around the moon.
Artemis II is scheduled for its launch in early 2026 and will be the first test flight of the Space System rocket and the Orion spacecraft with humans on board. With an approximate duration of 10 days, the mission will launch four astronauts from the NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida to orbit the moon before returning healthy and saved to the earth.
This mission is a crucial step towards the alunage of Artemis III in 2027. NASA Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch astronauts, and the astronaut of the Canadian space agency Jeremy Hansen, will be accompanied by another important crew member in space: the winning ZGI.
How to participate in the NASA stuffress contest?
The organization published a webinar in English with the information necessary for participation. You can see it when pressing here.
Keep in mind that you must register for the challenge before sending your participation. You can register following This link.
See the guidelines for more information.
The materials they will use are: Nomex thread, synthetic leather fabric, polyester fabric, cotton fabric, beta fabric, kevlar or vinyl, Kapton/VDA movie and poly-fil for filling. The materials must be justified in the design.
This is your OPPORTUTIL TO DESIGN SUBSHING THAT COULD FLY AROUND THE MOON.
The Artemis II Mission Could Use Moon Mascot! This Small Plushie Will Indicate When The @Nasa_orion Spacecraft has rearle space. Submit your Design By May 27: https://t.co/e9jayjpoqv pic.twitter.com/lmubfownnk
– NASA (@NASA) March 28, 2025