One Giant Leap for Dollkind: Barbie Explores New Frontier in First Trip to Space
Now, almost 60 years later and with 200 careers and counting, Barbie dolls have made it to space.
Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) announced today that Barbie is embarking on her first mission to space in the doll’s 63-year history. In collaboration with the International Space Station (ISS) National Lab on Mission DreamStar, Mattel sent two Barbie dolls up to space to encourage girls to consider a career in aerospace, engineering and STEM.
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One Giant Leap for Dollkind: Barbie Explores New Frontier in First Trip to Space (Photo: Business Wire)
The Barbie purpose has always been to remind girls they can be anything, and by showing them nearly 40 different careers in STEM – including astrophysicist, space scientist and robotics engineer – the brand continues to help close the “Dream Gap”* and level the playing field for girls.
“Barbie introduced an astronaut doll in 1965 before humans had even stepped foot on the moon,” said Lisa McKnight, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Barbie and Dolls, Mattel. “Now, almost 60 years later and with 200 careers and counting, Barbie dolls have made it to space. It is important that we encourage girls to reach for the stars – literally – and pursue careers in aerospace and STEM. With help from the International Space Station National Lab team, we are reminding girls that not even gravity can hold them back.”
After launching into orbit, two Barbie dolls received an out-of-this-world tour of the ISS which included the Cupola, ISS’ observation module, Veggie Garden, and Minus Eighty-Degree Laboratory Freezer (Melfi), along with an introduction to the ISS’ free-flying robots, the Astrobees. After the Barbie dolls return from space this Summer, the two dolls will be donated to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and go on display later this year at the museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia to further engage young females on the excitement of space.
As part of Barbie doll’s first trip to space, the Barbie brand will be releasing a special edition episode of the brand’s You Can Be Anything™ series, which showcases inspiring digital content featuring conversations with female role models to remind girls that they can be the leaders of tomorrow. The episode, titled You Can Be Anything: Mission DreamStar – Let’s Go To SPACE!, launches today on YouTube and will highlight careers in space, providing young girls with virtual access to the ISS and help inspire a life of space exploration.
The Barbie brand’s long history of celebrating space also includes the creation of dolls made in the likeness of real-life astronauts such as European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti.
The Barbie space exploration line will be available at Target locations nationwide and featured on the exclusive Barbie page on Target.com, along with the You Can Be Anything: Mission DreamStar – Let’s Go To SPACE! episode and more information on Barbie brand’s initiatives and activities for girls. The Barbie Space Discovery line, available exclusively at Target, includes a Barbie astronaut doll, Space Teacher Playset, Space Room Playset, and more.
About Mattel
Mattel is a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest catalogs of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain, and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic brands, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends®, UNO®, Masters of the Universe®, Monster High® and MEGA®, as well as other popular intellectual properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming and digital experiences, music, and live events. We operate in 35 locations and our products are available in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering children to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. Visit us online at mattel.com.
About International Space Station National Lab
The International Space Station (ISS) is a one-of-a-kind laboratory that enables research and technology development not possible on Earth. As a public service enterprise, the ISS National Lab allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit. Through this orbiting national laboratory, research resources on the ISS are available to support non-NASA science, technology and education initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, Inc. (CASIS) manages the ISS National Lab, under Cooperative Agreement with NASA, facilitating access to its permanent microgravity research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space. To learn more about the ISS National Lab, visit www.ISSNationalLab.org.
* Research shows that starting at age five, many girls begin to develop self-limiting beliefs and think they're not as smart and capable as boys. They stop believing their gender can be anything. This issue is called “the dream gap,” and to help close it, Barbie launched the Dream Gap Project in 2018 - an ongoing global initiative that gives girls the resources and support they need to continue believing in themselves.
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