Raise your spirits with NASA's latest collectible - Rise, the fan-created, flown-to-the-moon mascot of Artemis II. Perfect for space enthusiasts and future explorers alike, this official plush is inspired by Earthrise - that iconic Apollo 8 photo.

Designed by 9-year-old Lucas Ye as part of a NASA challenge, Rise wears a cap resembling the earth rising over the moon, mirroring the mission patch used by the Artemis II crew. Its design nods to both history and future missions, embodying the essence of teamwork and inspiration.

The collectible features a rocket ship design and a star field on its bill, symbolising Orion - the spacecraft tested during their 10-day lunar journey. Sales benefit NASA's employee morale activities, showing that even small gestures can make big impacts in space exploration.

As Christina Koch, an Artemis II mission specialist, noted: 'This little guy really resonated with us because the theme is the earthrise photo taken on Apollo 8, which is inspirational to all of us and is a mission that sort of mirrors our own.' It’s clear how deeply intertwined past achievements are with current missions.

So why not grab one for yourself? Who knows - maybe it'll spark your child's or grandchild's interest in the stars. After all, every great journey starts with a single step, or in this case, a single plush toy.