The zero-g indicator flying on the second private mission to the International Space Station will be the first that needed assembly.
The product of a partnership between the custom stuffed animal retailer Construct-A-Bear Workshop and Axiom Space, the space services company that organized the launch, the Axiom-2 (Ax-2) zero-g indicator is the primary Construct-A-Bear doll to fly into space. Named “GiGi,” the fluffy toy is wearing a miniature version of Axiom’s AxEMU spacesuit, which can be worn by the following American astronauts to walk on the moon.
“Guests dream big at Construct-A-Bear, and the chance to partner with Axiom Space as a part of the Ax-2 mission and send GiGi, the furry fifth crew member, to space is a special honor that we hope inspires youth across the globe to succeed in for the celebrities, pursue adventures and follow their passion,” said Sharon Price John, president and CEO at Construct-A-Bear, in a press release. “With Construct-A-Bear’s 25-year history of making special moments, our GiGi, wearing the next-generation spacesuit, has the wonderful opportunity to be a part of history because the Ax-2 crew’s zero-gravity indicator.”
Ax-2 commander Peggy Whitson, pilot John Shoffner, and mission specialists Ali AlQarni and Rayyanah Barnawi will look ahead to GiGi to start floating inside their SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to point after they have entered the microgravity (or “zero-g”) environment of space after a nine-minute climb into Earth orbit. A practice that began in the previous Soviet Union with the primary launch of a human into space in 1961, zero-g indicators have since been adopted by the crews flying on SpaceX and other U.S. vehicles.
Previous dolls have included “Suhail,” the symbol of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) astronaut program, which is now on the space station with the members of SpaceX’s Crew-6 mission, and Caramel, the mascot of the Montreal Kid’s Hospital Foundation, which was flown by the Ax-1 crew in 2022.
The Ax-2 crew hopes students from all over the world will look up at GiGi and be inspired to learn more about space exploration and consider careers in science, technology, engineering, the humanities and arithmetic (STEAM).
“GiGi was designed and built for the following generation of space explorers,” said Sandra Nelson, vp of selling at Axiom Space, “who will enable us to explore beyond, construct a sustainable future in low-Earth orbit and realize the extensive science research that can be achievable with their involvement and lively participation in STEAM.”
Young children and enthusiasts can follow GiGi’s journey on her blog, which was designed to assist kids see themselves through her “un-bear-lievable” experience.
“As a young cub, I used to be all the time drawn to math and science projects. After the gift of a telescope one summer, I felt connected to the celebrities in a way I never had before, and I knew STEAM studies were for me,” GiGi’s blog reads. “Now as a full-time astronomer and aspiring astronaut, I’m over the moon to be a part of the Ax-2 mission.”
“In spite of everything, it takes numerous heart and courage to be an area explorer, and I’m ready for it,” says GiGi.
Although GiGi is not going to be traveling to the lunar surface (at the very least, not yet), she is going to spend about every week in orbit along with her Ax-2 crewmates as they conduct science and academic outreach from aboard the International Space Station.
To rejoice GiGi’s mission, Construct-A-Bear is now offering on the market the “Axiom Space Bear,” a 16-inch-tall (40 centimeters) version of the 6.75-inch (17 cm) Ax-2 zero-g indicator, sporting the same style spacesuit cover layer as designed for Axiom Space by Esther Marquis, costume designer on the Apple TV+ alternate space history series “For All Mankind.”
The Axiom Space Bear is obtainable for order now from the Construct-A-Bear Workshop and Axiom Space web sites for $42 each.
“Axiom Space is happy to partner with the long-lasting brand Construct-A-Bear to encourage children of all ages to study space exploration and our efforts to expand access to microgravity for people, countries and institutions to conduct meaningful scientific research,” said Nelson.