Artemis II crew arrives at Kennedy and reveals Rise lunar mascot

The four astronauts selected for NASA’s Artemis II mission arrived at Centro Espacial Kennedy, on Flórida, on Friday, March 27, 2026. The crew composed of commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, specialist facilities for final preparations before the test flight. Eles will participate in a roughly 10-day journey around Lua aboard Lançamento Espacial’s Sistema rocket and Orion spacecraft. Launch is scheduled for no earlier than 6:24 pm ET on Wednesday, April 1 from Complexo of Lançamento 39B.

During the speech on site, commander Reid Wiseman presented the lunar mascot chosen to accompany the mission as an indicator of zero gravity. The small stuffed object named Rise was selected from more than 2,600 entries submitted by participants from more than 50 countries, including elementary and middle school students.

• Rise was designed by Lucas Ye, of Mountain View, at Califórnia.
• The design is inspired by the iconic moment of the birth of Terra recorded by the Apollo 8 mission.
• Five finalists were chosen before the final decision, including creations from Peru, Finlândia and Canadá.

Crew preparations on the Centro Espacial Kennedy

The astronauts now review the detailed launch day schedule and the activities planned for the flight days. Eles also undergo routine medical examinations and dedicate time to meetings with family members before complete isolation. Technical teams continue preparation work on the SLS rocket, the Orion spacecraft and ground support systems at the launch complex. Essas steps ensure that all components are aligned for the first manned mission of the Artemis program that will send humans beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17.

The arrival marks an important step forward in the countdown to flight testing. The crew will participate in specific training at the Kennedy facilities in the coming days. The focus remains on integration between members and checking operational procedures.

On the same topic: NASA begins countdown to Artemis II scheduled for launch in April

Details about the Rise mascot and the global contest

The Rise object will serve to visually indicate the moment at which the spacecraft reaches the microgravity environment during the trip. Seu design reflects symbolic elements related to lunar exploration and the view of Terra from space. The selection took place after analyzing an initial list of 25 finalists reduced to five main options.

“Grandes Passos do Pequeno Polvo”, by Anzhelika Iudakova, da Finlândia, was among those highlighted. “Corey, Explorador”, created by Daniela Colina, from Peru, also reached the final stage. Outros finalists included “Myths of Criação,” by McPherson’s Johanna Beck, at

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Schedule and final activities before launch

The mission team continues planning for the test flight that will take astronauts on a free trajectory around Lua before returning to Terra. Preparations involve ongoing checks on the Orion’s propulsion, communications and life support systems. Técnicos fine-tune operational details on Complexo from Lançamento 39B as the crew adapts to the Kennedy environment.

Astronauts follow strict health protocols to preserve physical fitness. Atividades include simulations of emergency procedures and alignment with ground teams. The launch will take place within a specific window that takes into account weather conditions and technical availability.

Integration between crew and mission systems

Reid Wiseman, as commander, leads discussions on the critical phases of the lunar journey. Victor Glover, in the role of pilot, contributes expertise in spacecraft maneuvers. Christina Koch brings experience in long-duration space operations, while Jeremy Hansen represents international collaboration with Agência Espacial Canadense. Essa diverse composition reinforces the global character of the Artemis program.

Read also: NASA prepares launch of the Artemis II mission with four astronauts heading to the Moon

Work on the SLS rocket and the Orion continues in parallel with crew training. Engenheiros monitor all parameters of ground systems to ensure safety and precision at the time of takeoff. The mission represents a concrete step towards the objective of sustainable return to Lua.

Official presentation of the lunar mascot

The revelation of Rise occurred at an event attended by the crew on Centro from Lançamento and Pouso Kennedy. Commander Wiseman highlighted the importance of involving the public, especially young students, in creating symbolic elements of the mission. The competition allowed ideas from different parts of the world to contribute to the visual aspect of the trip.

Rise will accompany astronauts as a visual reminder of the transition to the space environment. Seu name and design evoke the upward movement and unique perspective offered by lunar exploration. The final choice reflects the broad international engagement obtained in the selection process.

The crew remains focused on the final procedures while the ground teams carry out technical checks. The Artemis II test flight seeks to validate the systems that will be used in future lunar landing missions.