Plush toys traveling in space may seem unusual, yet they have quietly been a part of human space flight for decades. Missions conducted by organizations like NASA and companies like SpaceX often include small soft mascots inside spacecraft cabins. These objects are known as zero gravity indicators. As soon as a spacecraft leaves Earth’s gravitational pull and enters microgravity, they begin to float. That simple activity provides astronauts with an immediate visual signal about changes in the environment.This tradition dates back to early space missions, including Vostok 1. Over time, this has continued through lunar programs such as Artemis II and modern commercial flights. What started as a practical idea has gradually become a familiar and consistent element across generations of space exploration.

Plush mascots used in space missions

Rise: Artemis II mascot

PC: ColumbiaOne

Rise (plush toy) is a white plush mascot selected for the Artemis II mission. It was designed by a young creator and features a cap adorned with Earth, galaxies, and rocket-themed details. The mascot is placed with the crew in the cabin of the spacecraft.It plays a functional role during flight. When the spacecraft leaves Earth’s gravitational influence, Rise begins to float freely inside the cabin. This activity provides astronauts with clear and immediate visual confirmation of microgravity conditions. The object is light and easy to see, making it suitable for this purpose. The use of RISE continues the long-standing practice of including a visual indicator to mark changes in the space flight environment, maintaining consistency with earlier missions.

Baby Yoda: Commercial Crew Flight

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According to Space.com, Baby Yoda was aboard a space mission sent by SpaceX to the ISS. This plush toy became popular due to its widespread recognition and unique image. It was placed in the cabin before lift-off. During the voyage, Baby Yoda was used as an indicator of microgravity conditions. As the spacecraft entered microgravity conditions, the toy began to float, alerting the crew. This indicated that the spacecraft successfully entered orbit.Such a choice for the mascot is quite practical because the toy is easily recognizable, and at the same time, it is appropriate according to the informal practice of bringing some soft toys to demonstrate gravity transitions.

Snoopy: Longtime NASA Symbol

Snoopy has been associated with NASA since the late 1960s. Snoopy was involved in flights related to lunar exploration missions such as Apollo 10. Ultimately, Snoopy has become part of the bigger picture when it comes to NASA’s spaceflight awareness campaigns. Snoopy in his plush form has served as a zero gravity indicator in several missions. As the spacecraft entered microgravity, the mascot would begin floating around in the cabin. Snoopy’s continued presence on various programs shows that it has remained consistent throughout time.

Shaun the Sheep: Artemis I Mission

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Shaun the Sheep was included in the unmanned Artemis I mission aboard the Orion spacecraft, the BBC reports. The mascot was placed inside the capsule prior to launch and remained onboard throughout the mission’s journey around the Moon and back.Prior to the mission, the plush character was taken through various training and introduction activities throughout Europe and the United States. These steps were part of the mission’s preparation and public engagement efforts. Once the spacecraft reached space, Shawn began floating inside the cabin, acting as a zero gravity indicator. Its motion provided a simple visual reference for the spacecraft’s transition into microgravity.

Tremor the Dinosaur: SpaceX Demo Mission

The Tremor dinosaur was carried on a SpaceX Crew Dragon demonstration mission, Space.com reports. The plush dinosaur has a sequined design, making it visually stand out inside the spaceship cabin. During the mission, Tremor served as a zero gravity indicator. As the spacecraft reached microgravity, the toy began to float freely, confirming to the crew the change in gravity conditions. Its movement was easy to observe due to its reflective surface and shiny appearance.The use of Tremor follows the same pattern seen in other missions with plush indicators. A small, lightweight object is selected, placed inside the cabin, and allowed to float once into space.

What is the significance of taking plush toys to space?

Plush animals may be considered fun items, but their presence on spacecraft is not accidental. Such objects, used by NASA and other companies like SpaceX, act as zero-gravity detectors. When a spacecraft separates itself from Earth’s gravitational field, the toy will begin to float, serving as a visual indicator that zero gravity has been reached.The movement of such toys helps astronauts confirm that zero gravity has occurred without relying too much on technical means. In fact, toys are commonly used because they can communicate very clearly what they want to convey.

New Delhi: The Centre, for the first time, has come up with dedicated rules for the management of tar balls – the weathered product of oil spills causing marine pollution due to offshore oil exploration activities, oil tanker/ship/vessel accidents or pipeline leakages – and proposed mandatory provisions for owners of oil facilities for its collection, transportation and disposal in an environmentally safe manner.Tar balls cause marine pollution both offshore and offshore, threatening the survival of shorebirds, sea turtles and marine life. Tar balls always affect the beaches in Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat and Karnataka as they get washed ashore due to strong winds and currents especially during monsoon.The Environment Ministry had last week notified a draft rule in this regard, which also provided for penalty (environment compensation) for defaulter ‘oil facility owners’ on the polluter pays principle, and assigned specific responsibilities to state governments, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, CPCB and Ministry of Defense (Indian Coast Guard) for eco-friendly management of tar balls.The rules describe ‘oil facility owners’ as persons or companies who own or control or operate a facility/ship/vessel where oil (crude or fuel or both) is extracted, explored, used, transported or handled.Notifying the draft rules titled Tar-Balls Management Rules, 2026, the ministry sought comments/suggestions of stakeholders on the proposal within the next sixty days. Final rules will be notified after examining the suggestions, if any. “They (rules) will come into force after one year from the date of publication of the final notification in the Official Gazette,” the ministry said in its draft proposal.Outlining the penalty provisions, it says, “Where any oil facility owner fails to manage oil in an environmentally sound manner and causes any oil spillage which causes harm, damage or injury to the environment or public health, including the formation of tar balls, he shall be liable to pay environmental compensation equal to the amount of such harm, damage or injury and the expenditure incurred or to be incurred by the district administration for the management of the tar balls Could.“Assigning responsibilities to the Indian Coast Guard, the rules state that the Defense Ministry body will implement the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP) to effectively manage oil spill management and tar balls formation.“The Indian Coast Guard will conduct regular aerial and surface surveillance for oil spills in the Indian EEZ and inform relevant stakeholders for necessary preparedness and response measures,” the draft rules said.In addition, the National Remote Sensing Agency will monitor and detect oil spill incidents and tar ball hot-spots through satellite, aerial, drones, sensor equipped buoys or any other means and support the combat agencies.As per the rules, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas will have to provide quarterly oil spill or spill incident reports of each installation (up to 500 metres) through its offshore establishments to the Indian Coast Guard, nearby coastal state governments, respective State Pollution Control Boards and CPCB.“The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas shall take all preventive steps to control oil leakage from offshore oil exploration establishments/facilities,” the draft notification said.

बैठक में स्वयंसेवकों ने साल में 365 दिन का रोजगार और गृह रक्षकों के समान मानदेय व डीए देने की मांग की. इस पर विभागीय मंत्री ने अधिकारियों को जल्द इसका प्रस्ताव तैयार कर कैबिनेट में लाने का निर्देश दिया. उधर, प्रांतीय रक्षक दल हित संगठन के प्रांतीय अध्यक्ष प्रमोद मंद्रवाल ने कहा कि संगठन को कोई लिखित आश्वासन नहीं मिला और न ही कोई अधिकारी धरना स्थल पर पहुंचा। दोनों मांगें लागू होने तक आंदोलन जारी रहेगा। बैठक में विशेष प्रमुख खेल सचिव अमित सिन्हा, खेल निदेशक आशीष चौहान, अपर निदेशक अजय अग्रवाल, राजेश ममगई आदि मौजूद रहे।

उत्तराखंड: प्रदेश भर में सरकारी और निजी स्कूलों का समय बदला, अब गर्मी और सर्दी में इस समय खुलेंगे स्कूल

पदक विजेताओं के लिए सीधी नौकरी की तैयारी

नेशनल गेम्स में पदक जीतने वाले सभी खिलाड़ियों को सीधे सरकारी नौकरी देने की तैयारी है. सचिवालय में आयोजित बैठक में खेल मंत्री रेखा आर्य ने अधिकारियों को आउट-ऑफ-टर्न नौकरी प्रक्रिया में तेजी लाने के निर्देश दिये.

खेल विश्वविद्यालय में इसी सत्र से कक्षाएं शुरू होनी चाहिए

खेल मंत्री रेखा आर्य ने अधिकारियों को खेल विश्वविद्यालय में इसी सत्र से कक्षाएं प्रारम्भ करने के लिए आवश्यक कार्यवाही करने के निर्देश दिये। मंत्री ने 142 पद सृजित करने और भूमि संबंधी मामले का निपटारा करने का भी निर्देश दिया.

Auston Matthews suffered a Grade 3 MCL injury and quad contusion that will cause him to miss the remainder of the 2025-26 regular season (Image via Getty Images)

As trade rumors regarding Auston Matthews have dominated and gained momentum in recent weeks, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman recently gave a hint at the Toronto Maple Leafs’ big offseason trade decision. Speculation has run rampant these days as the club made significant organizational changes this week, including the dismissal of GM Brad Treliving, while head coach Craig Berube also remains uncertain with the team.Previously, NHL insider Darren Dreger suggested that top NHL teams such as the San Jose Sharks and Utah Mammoth have emerged as potential trade fits for Matthews if the Maple Leafs star decides to move on. Meanwhile, Matthews is in his recovery period after he suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear and quad injury during a knee-on collision with Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas. It should be noted that, until his injury, Matthews had 53 points (27 goals, 26 assists) in 77 games this season for the Maple Leafs (32-31-14).

Elliotte Friedman hints at big offseason changes for the Maple Leafs on Auston Matthews trade decision

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has indicated that the Toronto Maple Leafs are headed for a potentially transformative offseason, with significant roster and organization changes expected after a disappointing 2025-26 campaign. Maple Leafs captain, Auston MatthewsTrade speculation has dominated the headlines as the team misses the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Elliotte Friedman said Auston Matthews’ future with the Toronto Maple Leafs is not yet finalized and could depend on how the team performs at the start of next season. Speaking on his April 3 episode of 32 Thoughts, he said, “That’s my theory, that’s totally my theory based on what I’ve heard this week, is they will tell him, ‘We’re back on track next year or trying to be,’ and will come back at the beginning of the year, and see how it goes.”” Friedman said.