Why A Plush Swan Named ‘Joy’ Is Heading To Space With Axiom-4 Crew

Last Updated:June 25, 2025, 11:56 IST

Once the SpaceX Dragon capsule reaches orbit, the plush toy, tethered securely during launch, will be released to float inside the cabin

Joy will fly to the ISS with the crew. (Pic: Axiom Space)

When the international astronaut crew aboard Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) launches into space this month, they’ll be accompanied by an unusual crewmate — a small plush swan named “Joy."

The Ax-4 astronauts, including commander Peggy Whitson from the US, Indian pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, and mission specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, selected the swan as their zero-gravity indicator. Axiom-4 Mission Launch LIVE:

Once the SpaceX Dragon capsule reaches orbit, the plush toy, tethered securely during launch, will be released to float inside the cabin — a cheerful signal that the crew has successfully entered microgravity and low Earth orbit.

Why A Swan?

The international crew of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) has chosen a plush swan named “Joy" as their zero-gravity indicator, a symbol rich with meaning that reflects the shared spirit of their diverse nations, space.com reported.

Also Read: Shubhanshu Shukhla Gears Up For Axiom-4 Launch, First Image From Dragon Spacecraft Shows

“‘Joy’ represents the shared aspirations of three nations united in their return to human spaceflight," explained mission commander Peggy Whitson during the crew’s pre-launch briefing on June 3, according to space.com.

“This one is rich in cultural symbolism. It stands for wisdom in India, resilience in Poland, and grace in Hungary. Through ‘Joy,’ we’ll celebrate our diversity and our unity in the shared journey of space exploration."

Indian IAF pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla elaborated on the swan’s significance in Indian culture, saying, “In Indian culture, the swan is the vehicle of Goddess Saraswati, symbolizing wisdom, learning, and purity. It is said to possess the rare ability to separate milk from water, a powerful metaphor for discernment in an age of distraction. To carry this symbol is to carry the essence of our mission — pursuit of knowledge, clarity of purpose, and grace under pressure."

For the Ax-4 crew, which includes Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, the swan embodies qualities that transcend borders, serving as both a token of cultural pride and a symbol of international cooperation in space.

ALSO READ | India, Poland, Hungary Make Spaceflight Comeback With ISS Mission

This Is a Tradition: The Story Behind Zero-G Indicators

The practice of flying zero-gravity indicators has a long-standing tradition in human spaceflight, dating back to 1961, during the very first human journey into space. Onboard his historic Vostok mission, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin carried a small doll, which served as a visual cue to confirm when the spacecraft had reached microgravity — the moment the doll began to float. This simple yet meaningful gesture became a hallmark of space missions that followed.

In the years after Gagarin’s flight, Russian cosmonauts continued the custom, often bringing plush toys or dolls selected by their children. The floating object would signal the arrival into weightlessness while adding a personal, symbolic touch to the mission.

The tradition eventually expanded beyond Russia. After the retirement of NASA’s space shuttle program, the use of crewed capsules reintroduced the tradition to American spaceflights. Today, zero-g indicators are a familiar sight on SpaceX Crew Dragon, Boeing Starliner, and NASA Artemis missions.

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