The Mascots in the Running to Fly around the Moon!
Earlier this year, the Moon Mascot design contest challenged people of all ages from all over the world to contribute ideas for the zero gravity indicator for the Artemis II mission. This plush item serves a very important purpose — it indicates when the astronauts have reached space by floating around the spacecraft! The zero gravity indicator also reminds the astronauts of Earth when they are far from home.
The Moon Mascot design contest received thousands of entries from over 50 countries — but only 25 are entering the finalist round.
“Rise” | Lucas Ye from Mountain View, California
“Rise” has a soft round body that resembles the Moon and wears a baseball cap that represents Earth. This design is inspired by the “Earthrise” photo captured in 1968 by the Apollo 8 crew.
“Zappy Zebra” | Kenan Ziyan from Canyon, Texas
“Zappy Zebra” is a zebra wearing a spacesuit. This design is inspired by the long and dangerous migratory patterns of zebras. Just as zebras work together as a herd to navigate difficult terrain, the Artemis II crew will work together as a team to explore around the Moon.
“Luna the Space Polar Bear” | Royal School from Winnepeg, Manitoba, Canada
“Luna the Space Polar Bear” is a polar bear wearing a spacesuit and an astronaut helmet. This design is inspired by how polar bears adapt to extreme cold environments, similarly to how spacesuits protect astronauts from the extreme environment of space.
“Team GarCo” | Garden County Schools from Oshkosh, Nebraska
“Team GarCo” is a mixture between an amphibious creature and a dog, demonstrating that the unknown does not have to be scary. This design is inspired by the ocean, which many people have to overcome fear to experience.
“Parsec — The Bird That Flew to the Moon” | Richellea Quinn Wijaya from Singapore
“Parsec — The Bird That Flew to the Moon” is a bird that has built himself mechanical wings for the purpose of exploring space and the Moon. This design is inspired by the challenge of lunar exploration, which can be overcome by the power of invention.
“Big Steps of Little Octopus” | Anzhelika Iudakova from Finland
“Big Steps of Little Octopus” is an Earth-colored octopus wearing an astronaut helmet and holding the Moon and the planets of our solar system. This design is inspired by the intelligence and dexterity of the octopus, operating as one sole creature despite having many tentacles.
“Astra-Jelly” | Congressional School from Falls Church, Virginia
“Astra-Jelly” is a jellyfish with stars on the end of each tentacle. The Sun and the Moon can be seen on the hood. This design is inspired by the awe felt by astronauts who observe the Moon, the Sun, and the stars.
“Harper, Chloe, and Mateo’s ZGI” | Congressional School from Falls Church, Virginia
“Harper, Chloe, and Mateo’s ZGI” is a deer decorated with constellations and phases of the Moon. This design is inspired by the Greek goddess Artemis. The moon phases and stars represent space exploration.
“Artemis” | Alexa Pacholyk from Madison, Connecticut
“Artemis” is a plush depiction of the Greek goddess — and mission’s namesake — Artemis. This design is inspired by humanity’s curiosity, a love for mythology, and the continued quest for discovery.
“Beeatrice” | Leila Fleury from Rancho Palos Verdes, California
“Beeatrice” is a bee wearing a spacesuit with openings for her wings. This design is inspired by how bees work together as a hive and the positivity of space travel. Beeatrice symbolizes hard work, the intricacies of space, and the delicate nature of exploration.
“Lepus the Moon Rabbit” | Oakville Trafalgar School from Oakville, Canada
“Lepus the Moon Rabbit” is a bunny with markings that look like the Moon’s craters. This design is inspired by humanity’s shared fascination with the Moon across time and cultures. Lepus’ balloon symbolizes how precious Earth is in the vastness of space.
“Sal the Salmon” | Avon High School from Avon, Connecticut
“Sal the Salmon” is a salmon that is detailed to imitate parts of a spaceship. This design is inspired by the cyclical journey of the salmon traveling to and from saltwater and freshwater environments.
“Corey the Explorer” | Daniela Colina from Lima, Peru
“Corey the Explorer” is a plush characterization of human DNA. This design is inspired by all people on Earth and our shared origins with the stars. Corey represents humanity’s curiosity, courage, and connections through our similar makeup with the cosmos.
“Flying squirrel ready for its take off to space!” | Caroline Goyer-Desrosiers from St. Eustache, Canada
“Flying squirrel ready for its take off to space!” is a squirrel wearing an astronaut helmet and decorated with a design intended to symbolize the trajectory of the Artemis II mission. This design is a tribute to the designer’s grandmother and inspired by how space exploration brings together different generations.
“Art & The Giant” | Giulia Bona from Berlin, Germany
“Art & The Giant” is an astronaut sitting on the shoulder of a mythological giant named Orion. This design is inspired by the phrase “standing on the shoulders of giants” and the mythology of Artemis and Orion.
“Lunar Crust-acean" | Tabitha Ramsey from Frederick, Maryland
“Lunar Crust-acean" is a crab with markings on its carapace in the shape of the craters on the Moon. This design is inspired by crabs and what they symbolize in different cultures, including rebirth, protection, and hope.
“Celestial Griffin” | Gabriela Hadas from Plano, Texas
“Celestial Griffin” is a griffin (a half-eagle and half-lion creature) with various characteristics relating to the stars and the Moon. This design is inspired by the bravery, valor, and strength of the Artemis II astronauts.
“Soluna Flier” | Savon Blanchard from Pearland, Texas
“Soluna Flier” is a moth-butterfly hybrid: luna moth on one side and a monarch butterfly on the other side. This design is inspired by the Apollo and Artemis missions and their namesakes: Apollo, god of the Sun, and Artemis, goddess of the Moon.
“MORU: A Cloud Aglow with Moonlight and Hope” | Ayako Moriyama from Kyoto, Japan
“MORU: A Cloud Aglow with Moonlight and Hope” is a cloud fairy. This design is inspired by humanity’s collective hopes and endless drive to explore. MORU stands for “Morph + More of You.”
“Creation Mythos” | Johanna Beck from McPherson, Kansas
“Creation Mythos” is a turtle with an Earth design on its top shell and a Moon design on its bottom shell. This design is inspired by creation myths about Earth riding on the back of a turtle and celebrates both Earth and the Moon.
“Space Mola-mola (aka Moon Fish)” | Guillaume Truong from Toulouse, France
“Space Mola-mola (aka Moon Fish) plushie” is a moonfish decorated with the Orion and Scorpius constellations. This design is inspired by humanity’s bond with Earth’s oceans and space.
“Terra the Titanosaurus” | Arianna Robins from Rockledge, Florida
“Terra the Titanosaurus” is an herbivorous dinosaur wearing a spacesuit and a “Moonpack” to collect Moon rocks. Terra’s spacesuit is inspired by the Artemis II astronauts’ spacesuits. The colors of the “air sacs” on Terra’s neck represent Earth, the Moon, and Mars.
“MISI: Guardian of the Journey” | Sandy Moya from Madrid, Colombia
“MISI: Guardian of the Journey” is a humanoid character with a butterfly shaped jacket. This design is inspired by the hope and care behind humanity’s missions to space. Misi’s feminine features are a tribute to the Greek goddess Artemis.
“Mona the Moon Moth” | Bekah Crowmer from Mooresville, Indiana
“Mona the Moon Moth” is a luna moth hugging a Moon. This design is inspired by the connection between the Earth and the Moon.
“Past, Present, and Future” | Courtney John from Llanelli, Wales
“Past, Present, and Future” consists of three humanoid plushies holding hands in a circle. This design is inspired by the past, present, and future crewed missions to the Moon. The three plushies are joined together to represent unity.
The Artemis II astronauts will select a flight design from the finalists. Then, the zero gravity indicator will be fabricated by the Thermal Blanket Lab and prepared for its mission around the Moon!
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INFORMATION ABOUT QUEER/ADULT CONTENT BEING DELISTED
Hey, I'm sure you've heard by now that several online retailers have blanket delisted queer/adult content. Information seems sporadic, so I want to create a masterpost of what happened, why it matters, and what you can do about it.
WHAT HAPPENED
You've probably heard that Steam and Itch.io have removed all of their adult/queer content from listings. Itch has even gone so far as to prevent creators from being able to get their payouts.
This is not Steam/Itch's fault. Mastercard and Visa have pressured them to remove their adult content. Visa and Mastercard collectively hold over 90% of the market share in payment processing. Unfortunately, if they cut you off, you pretty much lose over 90% of your gross income, which is a death sentence for basically any company.
This is also not just localized to Steam and Itch. Several anime/manga retailers have also been affected, and more companies are likely to follow. I would not be surprised if Patreon cracked down again soon, so if you have adult/queer content on there, I suggest you prepare accordingly.
The reason for this happening is not a response to the current US political climate, or these payment processors randomly deciding to force their puritanical views. It is a concerted effort by a group called Collective Shout, an anti-porn group masquerading as a feminist liberation org. (Look up the meaning of the word SWERF.)
Collective Shout has, allegedly, sent over 1,000 letters to Visa and Mastercard urging them to take action against certain digital retailers selling adult content. Which, thankfully gives us an avenue to respond. More on that in the third section.
WHY THIS MATTERS
For some of you, I don't need to explain why you should care. For others, let me explain to you why this is a massive cocern for everyone, not just adult content creators.
First of all, we've already seen perfectly sfw queer content catching strays from this. You should already be well aware that adult content and queer content are often conflated, and the two are pretty inextricably linked to each other. If you try to ban one, you will, inevitably, end up banning the other as well.
Secondly, this sets a precedent for "concerned citizens" to be able to pressure payment processors into removing whatever content they don't like from the internet. Even if you don't partake in adult content. Even if you're not queer. Even if this doesn't currently affect you or anyone you know right now, it will. They managed to do this with only 1,000 letters. If they get away with it, it'll only be the beginning.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Remember when I said they sent 1,000 letters to make this happen? I bet we can get more.
I wrote a form letter for Mastercard and for Visa. Fill in your name. Print them. Sign them. Mail them out. The addresses for the respective companies are at the top. It shouldn't cost much. Even international postage shouldn't be prohibitively expensive for most people.
Some people are sharing phone numbers and emails. That's fine, but I prefer a physical footprint. You can't see 1,000 phone calls. 1,000 emails don't take up physical volume. If you get 1,000 letters about something, you can see how much people care about it. That means something in this day and age.
IF YOU LIVE IN THE US there is a bill being introduced right now that stops payment processors from being able to control what people can and cannot purchase. Call your representatives. Right now. Even if you don't think they'll support it. Here's a script I wrote. And trust me when I say it'll help. I used to talk to politicians for a living. I know what I'm talking about.
SHARE THIS POST. Reblog it. Reblog it multiple times a day. Send it to everyone you know. Seriously. Everyone. Even if they're not on Tumblr. Get the word out. The most successful advertising is word of mouth. So use your voice and make sure people hear it. We've beaten this shit in the past and we'll do it again, but we still need to put in the work.
The Toadstool, a discord community for all walks of plant lovers 🌱
invite link
○ Organized channels to talk gardening, houseplants, & other hobbies
○ Tips, guides, & channels for plant help
○ Monthly plant sharing & events
○ Virtual garden bot
○ Nitro giveaway to celebrate server launch
○ 16+
Our brand new community is centered around helping people grow alongside their plants. You'll learn tips to nurture and connect with your little ones. All shapes, sizes, & varieties of plants deserve to be given love & care.
Don't be shy, especially if you're new to the world of plants. Whether you have one little pot or a hundred, we're here to help keep them growing. Connect with other plant enthusiasts & find your niche in the gardening world!
The Toadstool, a discord community for all walks of plant lovers 🌱
invite link
○ Organized channels to talk gardening, houseplants, and other hobbies
○ Tips, guides, and channels for plant help
○ Monthly plant sharing competition
○ Virtual garden bot
○ Nitro giveaway to celebrate server launch
○ 16+
Our brand new community is centered around helping people grow alongside their plants. You'll learn tips to nurture and connect with your little ones. All shapes, sizes, & varieties of plants deserve to be given love & care.
Don't be shy, especially if you're new to the world of plants. Whether you have one little pot or a hundred, we're here to help keep them growing. Connect with other plant enthusiasts & find your niche in the gardening world!
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