A unique plush toy crafted in southwest Wales is poised to travel to space, potentially playing a crucial role in NASA's Artemis II Moon mission.

Meet Courtney John, a 27-year-old from Llanelli, whose captivating design could be the next big thing in space exploration. She has clinched a spot as a finalist in a high-stakes NASA global design competition, with her toy set to serve as a zero gravity indicator (ZGI) during the mission.

Courtney expressed her enthusiasm: "I've always been fascinated by space, and the idea of having something I created actually travel to space is just amazing!"

A Design that Unites the Past, Present, and Future

Her innovative design, dubbed "Past, Present, and Future," features three plush humanoids holding hands in a circle, representing the evolution of space travel. ZGIs are lightweight items that indicate when a spacecraft has reached weightlessness, making plush toys ideal candidates.'

In her design, the figure representing the past dons a spacesuit from the Apollo 17 mission, the last time humans set foot on the Moon in 1972. The present is encapsulated by a figure in the Artemis II spacesuit, while the future showcases a character with a globe for a head, adorned with inspirational messages from the Artemis II crew.

"This will be a monumental achievement, and seeing how far they've come in space will be incredible," Courtney remarked.

A Journey From Over 2,600 Entries to Finalist!

Courtney’s journey to becoming a finalist is nothing short of remarkable, with over 2,600 entries competing for this prestigious honor that embodies the themes of humanity, exploration, and the spirit of the Artemis campaign.

"Even being named a finalist is a dream come true," she added.

The Future of Artemis Missions and the Race to the Moon

The Artemis program marks NASA's return to the Moon after more than half a century, consisting of three interconnected missions aimed at landing humans on the lunar surface again. Artemis I has successfully orbited the Moon, while Artemis II will be the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon.

With astronauts Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman, and Canadian Jeremy Hansen selected for the Artemis II mission, the excitement builds as we edge closer to the next chapter of lunar exploration.

While the timeline for lunar walks has faced delays, initial plans included landing astronauts on the Moon by the end of 2025.

Stay tuned as the winner is expected to be announced later this year, and witness a piece of Courtney's passion potentially making its way into the stars!