Custom Astronaut Plush Made for a TV Show

Description

In 2011 a children's TV show called "Pora v kosmos" ("Time to Go to Space") on the Russian channel Karusel needed a cosmonaut. A soft one. We sewed this astronaut plush to order for the production, from scratch, for that one job.

Then he really did go to space. The cosmonaut was launched into orbit, up to the International Space Station, and saw in the New Year there. Back home we put it simply: a cosmonaut made for television, now conquering outer space.

What he's made of

He's white fleece from helmet to boots. The big round helmet has a flat blue visor and no face, so any kid can imagine who's inside. Round shoulders, chunky segmented arms, mitten hands. A thin hose runs from a blue port on his chest down to his hip. Blue cuffs with a red stripe sit on his wrists and ankles, and a boxy backpack rides on his back.

Why soft toys fly

Crews have taken small soft toys into orbit for decades. On Soyuz flights a toy hangs in the cabin, and the moment it starts to float, everyone knows they're weightless. Space fans love the habit because it makes a whole mission feel a little more human.

A cosmonaut for your show

Making a kids' program, a science museum exhibit, a space camp or a launch event? Send us a sketch of your character, or just describe it, and we'll sew it to order. One hero toy is a normal order. For a batch, we sew one sample first and you approve it before we make the rest.

Want an astronaut plush for one space-loving kid instead? We make those from drawings too.

More space work: Rise, the Moon mascot from Artemis II, and our big rocket plush mascots. For TV, see the cat family puppets we sewed for a series pilot, or browse all mascot plush.

Materials used

This cosmonaut is sewn from soft white fleece, with blue and red fleece for the trim. Fleece takes a round shape well, so the helmet, the shoulders and the boots stay full and smooth on camera.

White fleece body, helmet, mitten hands and boots
Flat blue fleece visor, with no face sewn on
Blue cuffs with a red stripe on the wrists and ankles
A soft hose from a scalloped blue chest port to the hip
A boxy fleece backpack on his back

For your character we match the colors to your sketch: a different suit, a flag patch, a name on the chest. Sound modules, LED lights and poseable wire limbs can be added on request.

Lead time

A single mascot or TV character usually takes 2–4 weeks. Most of that time goes into the pattern, because a round helmet and chunky limbs only look right when the proportions are right.

A batch takes longer. The first sample usually takes 4–6 weeks. You approve it, and only then do we sew the rest.

Our estimate keeps a reserve for handmade surprises. If you have a shooting date or a launch day, tell us when you ask for a quote. We take urgent orders.

Delivery

We ship worldwide. Delivery usually takes 7–20 business days, depending on your country and the carrier. Couriers slow down before big holidays, so leave some room.

Shows and events run on dates: the first rehearsal, a shooting day, an exhibit opening. Count back from that day, making time first, then shipping. Our cosmonaut saw in the New Year in orbit. If yours has to be ready for Christmas or New Year here on Earth, order by November 1.

Before anything ships, you get photos of the finished toy, so you can check every detail before it travels.

Terms

We've made toys to order since 2009, from photos, drawings and ideas. Mascots and characters for TV people, companies, museums and events are a regular part of that work, and this one ended up in orbit.

Before we start, we go through the character with you: size, colors, suit details, and what has to stay exactly as drawn. There's no minimum order. For copies, we sew one sample first and you approve it. When the toy is ready, you see photos of it before it ships.

Planning merchandise around your character? We also make prototypes and sewing patterns for production. See our Patterns & Prototypes page.