NASA astronaut Reed Wiseman made a heartfelt decision during the post-splashdown procedure of the Artemis 2 mission. Initially tasked with leaving behind a small moon stuffed animal named Rise aboard the Integrity Orion spacecraft, Wiseman chose instead to bring it along as a symbol of his journey. Rise, created by a third-year student and serving as a zero-gravity indicator, contains an SD card with over 5 million names from people who wished to have their names sent to the moon.
Captured in photos during the mission, Rise became a beloved mascot for the crew, appearing during livestreams and on social media. In a poignant moment, the crew proposed naming a lunar crater after Carol, Wiseman’s late wife, who passed away from cancer in 2020. This proposal will be sent to the International Astronomical Union for consideration.
After returning to Earth on April 10, 2026, Wiseman successfully secured Rise in his suit for the journey back. The stuffed animal was then hoisted by a U.S. Navy helicopter to the USS John P. Murtha, where Wiseman and fellow astronauts reunited. Rise even made appearances in celebrations back at NASA, symbolizing both the mission’s success and a personal connection for Wiseman. The future of Rise remains uncertain, but it’s clear it has become an integral part of Wiseman’s experience.
Source link
