'GiGi' Built to Inspire Future Space Explorers,
Careers in STEAM
HOUSTON, May 22, 2023
/PRNewswire/ -- Axiom Space and Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW)
have partnered to fly a furry fifth crew member alongside the Axiom
Mission 2 (Ax-2) astronauts. The teddy bear, named GiGi, took
flight yesterday as the Ax-2 mission's zero-gravity indicator
wearing Axiom Space's next-generation spacesuit.
To read GiGi's story and follow her space
adventures please visit her blog at
www.axiomspace.com/news/meet-gigi.
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).
"Axiom Space is excited to partner with the iconic brand
Build-A-Bear to encourage children of all ages to learn about space
exploration and our efforts to expand access to microgravity for
individuals, countries and institutions to conduct meaningful
scientific research," said Sandra
Nelson, Vice President of Marketing, Axiom Space. "GiGi was
designed and built for the next generation of space explorers who
will enable us to explore beyond, build a sustainable future in
low-Earth orbit, and realize the extensive science research that
will be achievable with their involvement and active participation
in STEAM."
Sharon Price John, President and
Chief Executive Officer at Build-A-Bear, emphasized the intent of
this new partnership and special flight. "Guests dream big at
Build-A-Bear, and the opportunity to partner with Axiom Space as
part of the Ax-2 mission and send GiGi, the furry fifth crew
member, to space is a special honor that we hope inspires youth
across the globe to reach for the stars, pursue adventures, and
follow their passion," she said. "With Build-A-Bear's 25-year
history of creating special moments, our GiGi wearing the
next-generation spacesuit, has the wonderful opportunity to be part
of history as the Ax-2 crew's zero-gravity indicator."
About The Ax-2 Mission
The Ax-2 crew 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. To learn more about the Ax-2 mission, visit
www.axiomspace.com/ax2 .
GiGi's Story
This 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.
"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."
To read GiGi's full story and follow her space adventures please
visit her blog at www.axiomspace.com/news/meet-gigi.
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
Build-A-Bear and axiomspace.com.
ABOUT AXIOM SPACE
Axiom Space is building history,
guided by the vision of a thriving home in space that benefits
every human, everywhere. The leading provider of human spaceflight
services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure, Axiom
Space operates end-to-end missions to the International Space
Station today while developing its successor, Axiom Station – a
permanent commercial destination in low-Earth orbit that will
sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back
home.
ABOUT BUILD-A-BEAR®
Build-A-Bear is a
multi-generational global brand focused on its mission to "add a
little more heart to life" appealing to a wide array of consumer
groups who enjoy the personal expression in making their own "furry
friends" to celebrate and commemorate life moments. Nearly 500
interactive brick-and-mortar experience locations operated through
a variety of formats provide guests of all ages a hands-on
entertaining experience, which often fosters a lasting and
emotional brand connection. The company also offers engaging
e-commerce/digital purchasing experiences on buildabear.com and its
age-gated, adult-focused "Bear Cave". In addition, extending its
brand power beyond retail, Build-A-Bear Entertainment, a subsidiary
of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc., is dedicated to creating engaging
content for kids and adults that fulfills the company's
mission.
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SOURCE Build-A-Bear Workshop