Plush baby swan ‘joy’ selected as Axiom-4 zero-gravity companion

The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew selected "Joy," the baby swan, as their zero-gravity indicator for its symbolic meaning in India, Poland, and Hungary—their home nations. (Image: Axiom Space)

A tiny plush swan is heading to space, not for flight, but as a sign of hope, unity and cultural connection. Aboard the upcoming Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), astronauts from India, the US, Poland and Hungary have chosen a soft, white companion named “Joy” to mark the moment they reach orbit.

A Swan That Floats with Meaning

The plush swan will float freely inside the SpaceX Dragon capsule, acting as the zero-gravity indicator for the crew. “Joy” was selected to represent the shared values of the astronauts’ home countries and their joint return to human spaceflight.

Commander Peggy Whitson, India’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Poland’s Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Hungary’s Tibor Kapu revealed their choice during a press briefing ahead of their June 2025 launch. “This one is rich in cultural symbolism,” Whitson said. “It stands for wisdom in India, resilience in Poland and grace in Hungary.”

The crew of Axiom Space's Ax-4 mission to the International Space Station. (Image: Axiom Space)

Indian astronaut Shukla shared that, in Indian culture, the swan is the vehicle of Goddess Saraswati and symbolises purity, knowledge and discernment. “To carry this symbol is to carry the mission’s essence — wisdom, clarity and grace,” he added.

A Soft Reminder of Joy and Togetherness

Uznański-Wiśniewski spoke of the joy behind their mission, saying the realisation of its importance was still sinking in. Kapu explained that they initially considered animals like lions or dinosaurs but eventually found “Joy,” a 5-inch swan from the “Adorable Palm Pals” toy line by Aurora.

“Joy,” originally named “Alina Swan,” was a hit among the team and was chosen because it reflected the crew’s bond and the joy that fuels their mission. “A team that has joy is a healthy team,” Kapu said. “This is our extra crew member, a sign of what holds us together.”

Zero-gravity indicators have been a tradition in space travel since Yuri Gagarin's mission in 1961. Since then, both Russian and US crews have carried small dolls to watch them float in orbit. Commercial missions now continue this tradition with creative picks, often chosen by crew or inspired by their children.

A New Chapter for ‘Joy’ in Orbit

Once aboard the International Space Station, Joy will join the small collection of space mascots, like “Droog” the origami crane and an angel figure flown by Russian astronauts. The crew sees this swan not just as a toy, but as a representation of trust, friendship and shared goals.

As Ax-4 prepares to lift off, “Joy” will soar too — not with wings, but with purpose, showing that even in the vastness of space, a simple swan can remind us of unity and meaning.