European space agency launches Barbie astronaut

Yes, women can be anything they want - including astronauts, engineers, and space scientists. To encourage girls to pursue these careers and be the next-generation space explorers, Mattel's Barbie and the European Space Agency (ESA) have joined forces and launched an astronaut doll in Samantha Cristoforetti's image and likeness.

It is estimated that currently only 15% of the active astronauts in the world are women. Cristoforetti is the only active woman astronaut at ESA. As a tribute, she received a unique Barbie doll, depicting her in her space suit.

(Source: ESA / Mattel / Press Release)

The collaboration between ESA and Mattel goes far beyond the doll. Together, the companies released a series of motivational videos starring Cristoforetti. The astronaut will show details of the European Space Agency's astronaut center for girls from the UK, Germany, France and Italy. In addition, there will be exclusive content on Barbie's YouTube channel highlighting the astronaut's achievements.

(Source: ESA / Mattel / Press Release)

Ersilia Vaudo-Scarpetta, ESA's director of diversity, said that "the European Space Agency is strongly committed to promoting girls' interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) issues and particularly space careers." "We need a diversity of talent to imagine and enable the future in space."

Unfortunately the doll is not available for purchase, but the collaboration between the two companies has been described as "long term", indicating that we can expect new astronaut Barbies in the near future.

European space agency launches Barbie astronaut via TecMundo