---
title: "Axiom Space, Build-A-Bear Continue Partnership Sending GiGi to Space on Another Mission to Inspire Youth through STEAM Education"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/44972af2-0dfa-4d74-9873-c9812e594a3e
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20240108_axiom_space_buildabear_continue_partnership_sending_gigi_to_space_on_anothe.html
category: "Specialty retail"
industry: "Retail"
segment: "Specialty retail"
topics: ["Emerging brands"]
published: 2024-01-08T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T20:01:59.665Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1556761175-b413da4baf72?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Axiom Space, Build-A-Bear Continue Partnership Sending GiGi to Space on Another Mission to Inspire Youth through STEAM Education

**TL;DR:** Axiom Space and Build-A-Bear Workshop are continuing their partnership by sending a teddy bear named GiGi to space on the Ax-3 mission to inspire youth through STEAM education. GiGi will serve as the zero-gravity indicator on the mission, wearing Axiom Space's next-generation spacesuit.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2024-01-08. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20240108_axiom_space_buildabear_continue_partnership_sending_gigi_to_space_on_anothe.html).*

## Story

HOUSTON, Jan. 8, 2024 // PRNewswire // - Axiom Space and Build-A-Bear Workshop have continued their partnership and will send a furry fifth crew member to space, alongside the Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) astronauts in a launch planned no earlier than Jan. 17, from Florida.

The teddy bear, named GiGi, will launch to space as the Ax-3 mission's zero-gravity indicator wearing Axiom Space's next-generation spacesuit. GiGi's first mission was Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) in May, marking the first time Build-A-Bear sent a furry friend to space, and once again, both companies will engage youth through STEAM education and outreach.

GiGi's return 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-3, 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).

"Our partnership with Build-A-Bear is key in helping to drive curiosity in young minds about space exploration," said Sandra Nelson, Vice President of Marketing, Axiom Space. "We want our fifth crew member, GiGi, to inspire youth in space exploration and encourage them to grow their knowledge about STEAM. It's imperative that we build a diverse workforce with a unique skillset ready to drive innovations and fuel new ideas to advance civilization."

Julia Fitzgerald, Chief Marketing Officer at Build-A-Bear, shares her excitement on the continued partnership with Axiom Space. "We love to foster creativity and create special moments at Build-A-Bear, so we are pleased to continue our partnership with Axiom Space and see our beloved GiGi head back to orbit as part of the Ax-3 mission. Not only does this mark a special moment in history, but we also hope GiGi's story inspires children to consider STEAM activities, hobbies and even careers.

Our bears are always there for a hug and friendship, but we especially love when they can also provide the inspiration for pursuing a 'sky's not the limit' adventure."

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- Retail (sector)
- partnership (topic)
- stem education (topic)
- Build-A-Bear Workshop (company)
- space exploration (topic)
- space mission (topic)

---
Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20240108_axiom_space_buildabear_continue_partnership_sending_gigi_to_space_on_anothe.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/44972af2-0dfa-4d74-9873-c9812e594a3e).