This is one small step for man, and one giant leap for stuffed animals everywhere!
Build-A-Bear is teaming up with Axiom Space to send a teddy bear beyond the atmosphere. GiGi the Build-A-Bear bear will be joining the Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) astronauts for her second space mission. The two companies partnered last year to send GiGi into space with Axiom Mission 2, and she’s ready to once again serve as the mission’s zero-gravity indicator.
Build-A-Bear will be celebrating GiGi’s mission in style, with select stores offering sticker giveaways, appearances by mascot Bearemy, and the chance to make a Build-A-Bear outfitted in the Axiom Space’s Next-Generation Spacesuit from Jan. 13-20 at 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. The replica spacesuit is currently also available online at the Build-A-Bear website and Axiom Space website for kids who would like to outfit their favorite stuffed companion from home and follow along with GiGi’s journey.
The Ax-3 mission is the first all-European commercial astronaut mission to launch to the International Space Station, aiming to help provide a foundation for future Axiom Station plans. The mission includes Michael López-Alegría of the U.S. and Spain; Pilot Walter Villadei of the Italian Air Force; Mission Specialists Alper Gezeravci of Turkey and Marcus Wandt of Sweden and the European Space Agency; and, of course, Build-A-Bear GiGi.
