The Commercial Crew Program is a joint venture between NASA, SpaceX and Boeing.  This program provides the means to launch from U.S. soil, something we were not able to do with the end of the Space Shuttle Program.  This program also includes some all civilian crews and ventures that do not go to the ISS but are vital to our presence in space.

A tradition started by cosmonauts has now been carried out with Crew missions. The zero-g indicator signals to those onboard when they have entered orbit, thus zero-g.

It has been a fun way to bring a child's toy or a mascot, that represents the crew that brought it. It is also something that is usually hidden until it is unveiled, as a surprise, to the world when the crew reaches space.