A furry fifth crew member is in space alongside the Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) astronauts. The teddy bear, named GiGi, took flight on Sunday, May 21 as the Ax-2 mission’s zero-gravity indicator wearing Axiom Space’s next-generation spacesuit.
It’s all thanks to a partnership with Axiom Space and Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW). The partnership is driven by the shared goal for GiGi to encourage youth to learn more about space exploration and consider career paths in STEAM. Young enthusiasts can follow GiGi’s journey on her blog designed to help kids see themselves through her unBEARlievable experience.
GiGi going to space continues the tradition of having a zero-gravity indicator inside the spacecraft to provide a visual indicator when the spacecraft has reached the weightlessness of microgravity. As the fifth crew member of Ax-2, GiGi’s mission is to inspire children around the world to learn about space and consider careers in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM).
What inspired GiGi to go to space? “As a young cub, I was always drawn to math and science projects. After the gift of a telescope one summer, I felt connected to the stars in a way I never had before, and I knew STEAM studies were for me,” says GiGi in her blog. “Now as a full-time astronomer and aspiring astronaut, I am over the Moon to be part of the Ax-2 mission. After all, it takes a lot of heart and courage to be a space explorer, and I am ready for it.”
GiGi is a part of the historic Ax-2 mission and the Ax-2 crew who launched to space by way of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and a Dragon spacecraft from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Ax-2 crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson and Pilot John Shoffner, both from the United States, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Fans of Axiom Space and Build-A-Bear can be part of this memorable moment with the newly released Axiom Space Bear wearing a next-generation spacesuit available exclusively online at www.buildabear.com/axiom and axiomspace.com.